New Community Partnership on Hawaii Island Aims to Improve Water Quality

"Rocky coastline on Hawaii Island." Credit - UH Manoa

We are excited to be a partner of UH Sea Grant and South Kohala Coastal Partnership for this incredible project. Post-fire erosion has always been a major concern for HWMO, so we linked up with Sierra Tobiason and the rest of the partnership for this forward-thinking project to provide any help we could, including funding support for fuels reduction (which has taken place at a couple of sites within the last month.) 

From the Source:

"The two-year Wai 2 Kai project will take place at five sites along the Waikoloa stream and within the Wai‘ula‘ula Watershed. At these sites volunteers will be recruited to install and maintain raingardens, participate in stream and beach clean-ups, remove invasive plant species, and help the project reach its goal of planting 20,000 native plants."

These native plant restoration and Wai 2 Kai volunteer activities were designed to not only restore and improve water quality, but to encourage long-lasting stewardship and understanding of the importance of healthy watersheds.

Said Tobiason, 'The organizations, agencies and community groups of the South Kohala Coastal Partnership have been instrumental in helping to develop collaborative stewardship opportunities to improve the water quality from wai to kai -- the stream to the ocean. It is very exciting to have so much community involvement and partnership support in this project as we work together to improve water quality and reduce impacts to coral reef ecosystems.'"

Hawaii Firefighter Recruits Complete Training

Congratulations to the new class of Hawaii County Fire Department firefighters. Here's to a full year of rigorous training that included wildland fire training (and an Ready, Set, Go! Workshop by HWMO) and to the safety and wellbeing of our new service men/women.

Credit - Hawaii Tribune-Herald

From the Source:

"The class underwent 12 months of intensive instruction, classroom exercises and field work. The recruits received fire and rescue training that included a nationally recognized fire science curriculum, wild land fire training, rescue operations familiarization, aquatics competency certification and driver training."

"Training Capt. Darwin Okinaka and Recruit Training Officer Fire Rescue Specialist James Wilson spoke about the Hawaii Fire Department’s core values as well as stating that the duty of a firefighter is a great honor and privilege that should be earned, not given out as a liberty.

The 43rd firefighter class message was delivered by class president Mark Mochida.

'Training was not easy,' said Mochida, who thanked the chiefs, families, fellow firefighters and trainers. 'Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. Shake it off, take a step and learn from it.'"

Crews From Lower 48 Race to Rampaging Wildfire Near Anchorage, Alaska

"Willow wildfire grows to nearly 1,100 acres as state requests Anchorage, Outside help..."

It takes a village and then some to pull together to fight large wildfires. On the community side, resident and business cooperation and early evacuation can lead to less headaches for fire and safety personnel. Fire suppression support can come from other regions, spanning the 48 lower states (and sometimes from Hawaii, as well.) Even evacuation planning for pets can go a long way...

From the Source:

"Homes were being evacuated and fire crews from the lower 48 states were racing to a wildfire north of Anchorage, Alaska, that grew to 6,500 acres in just hours, authorities said Monday."

Residents began fleeing from a voluntary evacuation area covering both sides of a 15-mile stretch of the George Parks Highway. As of Sunday evening, more than 200 people had signed into one evacuation center near Talkeetna. But the total number of evacuations wasn't immediately available.

About 25 'primary structures,' including homes, have been destroyed by the fire, Sam Harrel, spokesman of BLM Alaska Fire Services, said Monday.

The entire Matanuska-Susitna Borough Fire Department was at the scene, along with crews and helicopters from Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kenai, White Mountain, Alaska Fire Services and the Forestry Division. They totaled about 200, with another 100, and at least 10 hotshot crews from other states, on their way, officials said. Another three Alaska Air National Guard Blackhawk helicopters to help with bucket work on the fire.

Kokee Road on Kauai Reopened, Brush Fire 100 Percent Contained

Screen capture from KHON2

Amazing job by our fire suppression agencies - it takes a collaborative effort amongst agencies to put fires out like this.

From the Source:

"As of Sunday afternoon, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said the fire has burned more than 400 acres...

At approximately 10 p.m. Friday, a bulldozer was dispatched by DOFAW to cut firebreaks on an old dirt road. This enabled two DOFAW and two Kauai Fire Department trucks to reach the west and north flanks of the fire and begin to battle it. The first responders continued their efforts until approximately 2 a.m. Saturday and then returned to their respective stations...

Air 1 arrived on scene at 7:30 a.m. to do water drops and three bulldozers and a water tender contracted by DOFAW arrived about an hour later to assist.

According to a preliminary investigation, the fire started on the side of Kokee Road just before the “hairpin turn” roughly one mile up from the base of the roadway. The fire then travelled all the way up to Pokii Ridge where it continues to burn."

Waikoloa Breeze June 2015 - Wildfire Prep Day Review, Volunteer of Month, Goat Dozing

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This month's Waikoloa Breeze featured HWMO a number of times. 

1) Wildfire Prep Day recap (pg. 4)
2) Volunteer of the Month: Mark Gordon, Waikoloa CERT and active member of the Waikoloa Firewise Team. He has assisted in helping raise awareness for wildfires in the community, and has contributed to HWMO efforts through a variety of ways. Congratulations Mark! Thanks for all you do! (pg. 8)
3) Update on goat-dozing for fuels reduction within the community's vacant lots - a project we're helping fund and support. (pg. 24)

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Firefighters Contain 200-Acre Brush Fire in Kunia

“It’s very scary,” said one resident. “We are just kind of freaked out. Nothing like this is ever happened around here… We’re going to start packing just in case (we need to evacuate).”

A close call for this Kunia community is an important reminder to have an evacuation plan that includes everyone in the household, even your pets. 

Photo Courtesy of Dominique Dacanay

From the Source:

“'My neighbor was actually on the roof. He could see and tell that it was pretty bad. I mean you didn’t have to be on the roof to see it that’s how high the flames,' said resident Wally Kumura."

"Crews got the call just after 6 p.m. Monday. The fire burned 200 acres north of the Royal Kunia subdivision."

"Marie Anderson rushed to her parents’ home to help take care of them and their dogs.

'I was fortunate because I was off tonight from work, so I was able to get here in time and just safety and secure and making sure everybody does stay safe,' she said."

2 Brush Fires Near Pukalani Appear to be Suspicious

Photo Credit: KITV4

Remember to report suspicious activity to your local police department. We need to make sure our communities are not threatened by unnecessary ignition risks.

From the Source:

"Just before midnight, firefighters from Makawao, Kula and Kahului responded to a brush fire near the split at Old Haleakala Highway and the Haleakala Highway bypass.

When the Makawao got to the scene, there were two separate fires -- one on the north side of the Haleakala bypass and the other was on the south side."

Alaska Fire Crews Battling 2 Large Tundra Wildfires

"Smoke rises from the Bogus Creek Fire, one of two fires burning in the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge in southwest Alaska. Fire managers said Monday that weekend rain helped tamp down the fires which, together, total about 63 square miles. (Matt Snyder/Alaska Division of Forestry via AP)"

Wildfires in the tundra in Alaska may become more of a frequent thing over the next century due to changing climate conditions.

From the Source:

"Alaska gets fewer fires in tundra than in forests, and tundra fires tend to be smaller, but they are not unheard of, according to Fish and Wildlife Service fire ecologist Lisa Saperstein.

Tundra fires are more common in southwest Alaska, but rare in the far north, she said. In 2007, a lightning-caused fire burned 400 square miles in the Brooks Range in the North Slope in an area where lightning is an anomaly.

The current fires are burning about 400 miles south of where the 2007 fire took place. Both fires are located in a biologically dynamic area where waterfowl nest, Saperstein said."

"According to a 2013 report by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service, climate change could be a factor in a growing number of fires in tundra ecosystems over the next century."

Kalanianaole Highway Reopens Near Sea Life Park

From the Source

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Credit: Tracey Nakama
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/29234428/brush-fire-closes-kalanianaole-highway-near-sea-life-park

"Kalanianaole Highway from Queen's Beach to Sea Life Park was reopened around 5:15 p.m. after it was shut down by a brush fire, police said Wednesday afternoon.

The brush fire had blocked Waimanalo-bound traffic on the highway from Queen's Beach to Sea Life Park.

Firefighters have contained 50 percent of the fire but were still battling the blaze on the Hawaii Kai side of the highway.

The fire had burned about 10 acres near the Makapuu Light House trail near Queen’s Beach, said Honolulu fire spokesman Capt. David Jenkins."

HFD Warns of Brush Fire Risk as Dry Conditions Approach

Screen capture from KHON2

We were honored to be a part of the media event that led to this news piece. Honolulu Fire Department offered great tips for preparing for what looks like a busy period of wildfires ahead.

From the Source:

“'You should keep your property well maintained,' said HFD spokesperson, Capt. David Jenkins. 'Keep anything combustible away. If it catches fire it shouldn’t be leaned up against your structure. Anything that can transfer the wild land fire to your home should be cleared away and put somewhere safe.'

Firefighters also say you should have a 30 foot buffer zone around your house and make sure to maintain a fire break.

Brush fires are a statewide problem and fire officials say the majority are started by people whether it’s an accident or intentional.

On Kauai authorities say there have been 70 brush fires since December all believed to be intentionally set.

Some tips for you to stay safe this season:

• Clear away any brush or high weeds at least 30 feet away from any structures. That brush or weeds could act as fuel for a fire.
• Make sure you keep a water course near your house.
• If you see smoke, call 911 immediately.
• If you are a smoker, do not discard lit cigarettes out of your vehicle."

Hawaii Told to Expect El Niño to Continue All Year

Credit - NCSU NC Climate

This next year could be a much busier year not just for hurricanes, but for wildfires in Hawaii. Here's why:

From the Source:

"Chu said El Nino could clear the path for summer hurricanes. The end of hurricane season in November will bring dryer conditions to the island, including parched landscapes and increased wildfire risk."

HFD Crews Respond to Overnight Flare Up of Makakilo Brush Fire

Another frightening close-call for Makakilo residents - a stark reminder of the importance of evacuating early and having a rehearsed preparedness plan.

From the Source:

Credit: Lynn Westlake

"A major brush fire that threatened homes in Makakilo Monday afternoon had been brought under control by Honolulu firefighters, but crews returned to the scene overnight to battle a flare up. 

The first calls about the fire were received around 3:15 p.m. on Monday. Images from the scene showed smoke and flames on the hillside along the westbound lanes of the freeway near the Makakilo offramp.

Police initially blocked the far right lane of the freeway in the westbound direction as crews battled the fire, but have since reopened the roads.

The Department of Emergency Management opened an emergency shelter at Makakilo Community Park for those forced to evacuate because of the fire. Evacuations were not mandatory according to a Honolulu Fire Department spokesperson.

'When the fire went to the third house, behind the third house, that's when I was like, we need to go, we need to go right now,' said Makakilo resident Wayne Richardson.

Honolulu police officers went door-to-door letting residents know about the shelter. Major Kurt Kendro says about 50 people showed up.

'A lot of families with animals, a lot of elderly people trying to get away from the smoke, but all voluntarily. The fire department knocked it down really quick,' said Kendro.

Fire officials said the blaze burned approximately 80 acres and damaged 100 feet of vinyl fencing. At one point, 18 companies and about 60 personnel were used to fight the fire.

'The terrain and the high winds did have contributions to how quickly the fire spread. The homes were located uphill downwind which made it a concern for us, those homes being in jeopardy,' said HFD Capt. David Jenkins.

Initial 2015 BioBlitz Results

We had the opportunity to be a part of this incredible event, as one of the outreach booths at the Cultural Festival. Find out more about what we did at the event.

From the Source:

"Student inventory. Photo credit: Chris Johns/National Geographic."

"Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park held the ninth of 10 annual BioBlitz events over the weekend. The events are hosted by National Geographic and the National Park Service and have spanned the entire country over the past decade. According to HVNP officials, the events are leading up the NPS’s centennial in 2016.

The 2015 event, which was a combined BioBlitz and Biodiversity & Cultural Festival, hosted more than 6,000 people including more than 850 school-aged children. During the event, more than 170 scientists and traditional Hawaiian practitioners came together to conduct a comprehensive inventory of the plants, insects, mammals, birds, and other species that inhabit HVNP. Officials say the program gathers a 'vivid snapshot of the unique plant and animal biodiversity in the park.'"

"'The BioBlitz and Biodiversity & Cultural Festival presented an incredible opportunity to connect the community with leading scientists, international sister parks, and cultural practitioners this weekend,' said park Superintendent Cindy Orlando. 'This even embodies our National Park Service centennial mission to encourage everyone to Find Your Park – literally – by exploring and understanding our vital connection to our natural world.'

Stubborn Brush Fire Near Lahainaluna Burns 7 Acres

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"Fire near Lahainaluna. Photo by Kira Nakamura."

The need for more stringent enforcement of trash dumping and better waste management programs is highlighted by this fire in Maui. What makes trash dumping even a worse wildfire hazard is when it sits in dry gulches, where wildfires can really pick up due to winds and convection.

From the Source:

"A fire near Lahainaluna High School burned an estimated seven acres since it started on Saturday afternoon, May 16, 2015.

Maui Fire Services Officer Edward Taomoto said crews were primarily focusing on stubborn areas along the Kahoma Stream gulch where partially buried organic material, trash and abandoned vehicles were making the fire especially difficult to extinguish."

Wildfires on Mahalo Aina (Hawaii Public Radio)

We were featured on a recent Hawaii Public Radio show called Mahalo ʻAina! The show "is a 13-week series of reports designed to raise awareness of the many environmental, economic, social and cultural benefits provided by Hawaii's forests and the need for human responsibility in protecting and perpetuating these ecosystems."

Check out the 90-second vignette featuring wildfires and what HWMO is doing to prevent and prepare for them. Just scroll down to the 5th episode on the webpage.

From the Source:

"Wildfires are an issue for all islands in the state. The destruction caused by wildfires can potentially affect everything from native forests, watersheds, and agricultural production through to drinking water, cultural resources, and of course human safety.  The Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization is dedicated to controlling the wildfire threat."

"Wildfire. Photo credit: University of Hawai‘i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources"

Two Small Brush Fires Doused Near Kapalua Ziplines

Wildfires in Western Maui are quite frequent, especially during the dry season. Learn more about what people's wildfires concerns and project ideas are in the area in our Western Maui CWPP.

From the Source: 

Maui Now graphic.

"Maui firefighters doused two small brush fires in West Maui on Wednesday afternoon, May 13, 2015.

The first was reported at 3:34 p.m. in the area of Kapalua Ziplines.

Nāpili firefighters arrived on scene at 3:51 p.m. to find a 30 by 150 foot strip of grass burning along a dirt road."

Firefighters Work to Extinguish Green Sands Blaze

Even when homes aren't damaged in a wildfire, residents can still be affected severely by wildfire from effects you may not normally think of. The latest scare in Kaʻū depleted people's ability to access drinking water.

From the Source:

"The Hawaii Fire Department continued Tuesday battling a Ka‘u brush fire outside Naalehu that destroyed a home in Green Sands subdivision.

The fire was about 80 percent contained as of Tuesday afternoon, according to Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira.

'We still have just one structure that was lost,' he said. 'And, fortunately, even that one structure lost was a vacant structure. So, the Red Cross is currently not in the position of having to provide shelter for anyone.'

However, about 24 of the homes in the neighborhood were on county-metered water and were fed by exposed plastic pipes that were melted by the fire.

'So, we have a number of residents down there without water,' he said.

Green Sands Fire '50 Percent' Contained

When it's time to evacuate, make sure to listen to Civil Defense messages for the correct evacuation routes and shelter locations. Our hearts go out to those who's homes are being threatened in the Green Sands area.

For more information on the proper evacuation protocol, check out the Ready, Set, Go! Hawaii Wildland Fire Action Guide.

From the Source:

"Hawai’i County Fire Department crews are battling a runaway brush fire in the Na’alehu Green Sands subdivision.

The fire is reportedly burning out of control. No estimate as to how many acres have burned is currently available.

Residents in the Green Sands subdivision have been asked to evacuate. The evacuation is due to high winds and heavy smoke conditions."

"Naalehu brush fire. Photo credit: Eric Fandrick."

Hawaii Island Brush Fire Still Out of Control - Residents Allowed to Return

Green Sands Subdivision residents were forced to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire driven by high winds. Wildfire season is here - we hope that you have everything you need to be Ready!

From the Source:

"Nearby residents are being allowed to return to their homes. They were evacuated earlier in the afternoon due to high winds and heavy smoke conditions. No one was reported hurt.

'Just smelling the smoke and it got worse and worse and all of a sudden I could see the smoke,' resident Patti Snyder told KHON2. “I thought, oh man, I better call the fire department back again and I told them where I thought it was and I said, well should I leave because I got ashes coming on my house!'"

Screen-capture from KHON2 video.

Waikoloa Breeze May 2015 - WVA Interior Lots and Wildfire Prep Day Flyer

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Weʻre working with Waikoloa Village to try innovative ways to reduce wildfire threats throughout the neighborhood. Also, check out our flyer for the upcoming Wildfire Prep Day event.

From the Source:

"Goat Dozers has been contracted to clear a fifty (50) ft. fire break around the perimeter of four (4) of the six (6) lots owned by WVA within the Village. Funds have been secured through a grant from Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization." - Roger Wehrsig, General Manager, Waikoloa Village Association