Credit - West Hawaii Today
Wildfire solutions are not always easy to find. One of the more complex issues are campfire starts from homeless, a common occurrence in Kailua-Kona. What's important is that to find solutions, we need to ensure that these complex issues are addressed with all stakeholders at the table. Collaboration is the only way to get to the heart of wicked problems like these.
Mahalo to firefighters for keeping Kona residents safe!
"Capt. Gifford Matsuoka said a southwest wind helped to keep the fire from spreading into more vacant land to the south and blew the brunt of the smoke away from the housing complex.
That wasn’t the case in 2012, when smoke from a similar fire forced the evacuation of the complex. Smaller fires have occurred sporadically in the area since then.
'Round three. This is the third time since I’ve been here,' said resident Larry Johnson, watching the scene unfold to the west.
Residents were quick to blame the fire on the homeless camping on the vacant land. Firefighters said the cause hasn’t been determined but listed homeless campfires as a possible cause."