Twenty One Individuals and Organizations Honored for Superlative Fire Protection Efforts in their Communities

We are proud to announce that HWMO is one of the recipients this year for the Wildfire Mitigation Innovation Award. Sponsored by the National Associations of State Foresters (NASF), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the National FIre Protection Association (NFPA), and the USDA Forest Service, "these awards are designed to recognize outstanding service in wildfire preparedness and safety across a broad spectrum of activities and among a variety of individuals and organizations."

HWMO will be sending a representative to accept the award at this year's Wildland-Urban Interface Conference (WUI) in Reno, Nevada on Wednesday, March 25, 2015.

We are honored to be amongst an impressive array of national groups and individuals who are doing amazing things serving their communities!

We couldn't have received this award without the incredible help from our staff, our Board of Directors, our Technical Advisory Board, our partners, and our active community members. A big mahalo to all of you! 

Firefighters Battling Brush Fire Near Mililani Mauka (VIDEO)

Wildfires, unlike on the mainland where there are fire-adapted ecosystems, can be detrimental to our native ecosystems in Hawaii. The current Mililani Mauka fire is a reminder of just how destructive wildfires can be here. Keep an eye out for the after effects of the fire. After a solid rainfall event, check out the neighboring shoreline to see if there is residue smothering the reefs as a result of the wildfire.

"[The] native forest cover protects Hawaii's watersheds and allows rainfall to slowly recharge the aquifer. When native forests burns in a wildland fire, the soil erodes into streams and out onto reefs, causing damage far beyond the burn site. Recovering native vegetation is hindered by invasive plant species which quickly recolonize the site and often are both more prone to burning and better adapted to survive fire, resulting in a destructive cycle of wildland fires."

From the Source: 

"Fire responders from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Forestry and Wildfire, and Honolulu Fire Department are continuing to fight the wildland fire located in the Kipapa drainage above Mililani Mauka, including parts of the Oahu Forest National Wildlife Refuge.

Approximately 350 acres of mostly intact native forest has burned as of 12 p.m. Thursday.  Six DLNR firefighters and eight HFD personnel are trying to contain the fire using aerial drops of water by helicopter.

Due to the lack of road access and steep terrain, responders are relying on costly air support to contain the fire. Four contracted helicopters and HFD's Air One helicopter are currently battling the flames. No structures are currently threatened...

The 4,775 acre refuge is managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife and protects habitat for several native bird species such as the 'elepaio, threatened and endangered plants, and endangered tree snails. The area burning is a mixed 'ohia koa forest with other native species present such as 'uluhe fern, loulu, iliahi (sandalwood), and halapepe."

Above: Credit - KITV4 News

Firefighters Mopping Up Kailua-Kona Brush Fire (VIDEO)

“I just started to clean there in case of a fire,” Libero said, pointing to the northern edge of the cleared area below the units. “And, the fire came.”

Being prepared in advance of wildfire season can pay off in immense ways. In this case, creating a firebreak made a difference as the break was tested by this 20-acre fire on Monday. We urge all North Kona residents to come to our Community Wildfire Protection Plan Meetings to be a part of the discussion for instituting community projects such as these to help minimize the wildfire threat in the area.

From the Source: 

"Firefighters Tuesday morning are mopping up a brush fire that consumed about 20 acres Monday afternoon in Kailua-Kona.

The fire, which broke out shortly before 3 p.m. in vacant land makai of Hualalai Elderly, is listed as under control and contained, according to Hawaii County Fire Department officials. The estimated 20-acre burn area stretches between the Kona Mazda Hyundai Subaru dealership and makai of the southern boundary of the elderly housing complex off of Hualalai Road...

Clash Libero, who has lived at Hualalai Elderly for nine years, said Monday’s fire was the third such incident he has witnessed since moving into the housing complex. According to West Hawaii Today archives, firefighters last doused brush fires in the vicinity of Hualalai Elderly in February and October of 2012. The October blaze consumed 8 acres while the February fire burned 35 acres.

Libero, who has previously assisted firefighters during fires near his home, said he used a garden house Monday to help douse flames that jumped the rock wall behind the complex and ignited some brush in an area that serves as a firebreak, as well as his garden."

Above: "A brush fire consumed about 20 acres Monday afternoon in Kailua-Kona before firefighters managed to get the blaze under control." Credit: Chelsea Jensen/West Hawaii Today

Waikoloa Breeze Jan. 2015 - Did You Know?

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Check out our "Did You Know" article explaining why Waikoloa is threatened by wildfires and what HWMO can offer residents to reduce wildfire hazards.

From the Source:

• "The Waikoloa Village area has experienced the largest and most severe wildfires in state history.
• Those fires occurred in situations very similar to what we are currently experiencing - prolonged period of wet weather and vegetation growth followed by drought"