CommPRO Editorial Staff

PR professionals across the nation are playing a key role in their organization’s communications strategy surrounding the COVID-19 crisis. As they help navigate this rapidly evolving situation, communications leaders are also stepping up to support their own local communities during this challenging time. 

Like many organizations and businesses across the country, PRSA Hawaii was forced to modify its operations and cancel a number of in-person events as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Members of the chapter are instead donating their communications skills to the State of Hawaii’s Joint Information Center (JIC) – located at the Hawaii Department of Health – which is seeking qualified volunteers to support its ongoing emergency management efforts. 

PRSA Hawaii members are lending their experience in media relations and community communications, including drafting media materials, assisting with press conferences, social media monitoring and visual content & development, all of which will continue to help keep the public informed. 

“The current health crisis is an all-hands-on-deck situation,” said Keith DeMello, Immediate Past President, PRSA Hawaii. “When the State of Hawaii Joint Information Center reached out to our local chapter for support, we immediately responded with a call-to-action to our members to lend time and valuable expertise. With many of our chapter members already actively working with local and state officials to manage the rapidly evolving situation, several additional members answered the call to be of service. As professionals who work in public relations, we know the critical importance of quick, accurate and consistent communications. Our members are able to contribute in ways that will save lives.”