Campaign Against Fireweed on Mauna Kea Continues

The fireweed gets its name because of its ability to spread rapidly after a fire. After the 2010 Mauna Kea State Park Fire, fireweed has made its way through the charred landscape on the south side of Mauna Kea near the cabins.

From the Source: 

"The Office of Mauna Kea Management is renewing its request for volunteers to assist in its efforts to control invasive weeds on the mountain.

Participants in the “Malama Maunakea” campaign focus primarily on eradicating fireweed. The drought-resistant plant is toxic to cattle and has invaded hundreds of thousands of acres on the Big Island and Maui.

The effort on Saturday, June 7 will concentrate on pulling fireweed along the Mauna Kea Access road and around Hale Pohaku at the mountain’s 9,200-foot elevation.

The weeding helps keep the species from being transported to the upper elevations of Mauna Kea where it provides habitat for invasive insects, OMKM officials said.

Volunteers are also needed for a similar effort on July 26.

To sign up, email OMKMvolunteers-grp@hawaii.edu or visit www.omkm.org for more information."

Above: "The invasive fireweed plant." Credit - University of Hawaii

Blaze Threatens North Shore Homes

CONGRATULATIONS! You have found one of the four fires of your scavenger hunt. 

"A brush fire closed in on a residential area on Poamoho Street in Haleiwa yesterday. Smoke from the huge blaze was visible from miles away." (Cindy Ellen Russell/Star Bulletin)

The Waialua Fire was the largest wildfire between 2003-2007 that burned during the kau season. 

The fire ultimately burned over 7,000 acres. You can see just how scary the fire was from the photo on the right! This shows the importance of planning and creating defensible space around your home ahead of time. Learn more about how you and your family can protect yourselves from wildfire with the Ready, Set, Go! Action Guide.

From the Source:

"A brush fire that consumed more than 1,500 acres closed roads and forced the evacuation of at least two housing areas on the North Shore yesterday."

"Portions of Kamehameha Highway, Kaukonahua Road and Farrington Highway were closed to traffic as a result of the fire.

Hawaiian Electric Co. shut down power to about 1,130 customers in the area.

The Hawaii chapter of the American Red Cross opened up a shelter at Waialua District Park community center but moved it to Whitmore Community Park at about 8 p.m. after power went out."