In an effort to continue Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization's 12-year momentum as the wildfire-focused nonprofit arm of Hawaii’s communities, land management and protection groups, and government agencies, the organization recently expanded its leadership to include a Technical Advisory Committee that met officially for the first time on October 30th. The Technical Advisory Committee will advise, assist, and support HWMO projects and programs by providing a level of technical expertise and leadership that is unmatched within the State of Hawaii. Driven by wildfire needs and priorities, the Technical Advisors will allow HWMO projects to remain grounded, effective, and relevant to on-the-ground fire suppression and land management needs. This has always been HWMO’s primary objective and strategy, and with HWMO’s statewide expansion over the last few years, we have restructured to ensure HWMO has the technical leadership and on-the-ground expertise to support and guide the organization's expanded efforts.
Members of the Committee got right into the swing of things at the October 30 meeting as they provided input regarding their entity’s or jurisdiction's wildfire concerns and brainstormed recommended actions that HWMO can collaboratively pursue to address those concerns.
The Technical Advisory Committee includes representation from the following entities and agencies: US Fish and Wildlife Service, Hawaii Community College Fire Program, Department of Hawaiian Homelands, University of Hawaii Sea Grant, University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension, Big Island Wildfire Coordinating Group, West Maui Fire Task Force, Parker Ranch, Mauna Kea Watershed Alliance, National Park Service Natural Resource Management, National Park Service Fire Management, Hawaii Island Native Seed Bank, Malama Kai Foundation, Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative, Daniel Sayre Memorial Foundation, West Maui Mountains Watershed Partnership, Hawaii Fire Department, Hawaii County Civil Defense, US Army Fire, Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources- Divisions of Forestry and Wildlife and Aquatic Resources, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
After working for years with these entities as project partners, we are excited to formalize their technical leadership positions within HWMO through the establishment of this committee. HWMO wholeheartedly welcomes the Technical Advisors officially to the HWMO team. We look forward to a strong and effective future!
Banner photo: Elizabeth Pickett welcomes the new Technical Advisory Committee.