The federal government and the University of Hawaii next month are planning to host a conference in Waikiki on responding to disasters in the Pacific Rim. 

The two day conference is scheduled to be held at the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies starting Aug. 8. Organizers hope the meeting will help countries in region better prepare for environmental change and challenges in the decades ahead. 

Organizers aim to present ideas from the conference to a meeting of the APEC or Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum that’s due to be held in Honolulu in November.  

Attendees are expected to discuss whether current disaster management efforts are focused too heavily on planning and response and whether they should pay more attention to reducing risks and building the strength of communities.