Puako Among Seven New Firewise Communities in Hawaii As of 2016

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Aerial photo of Puako community fuelbreak.

Over the last few decades, Puakō has had many encounters with wildfires, one of which burned down six homes in 1987. Increased human activity in the area along with more frequent and severe drought periods and unmanaged vegetation have been recipes for increased wildfire hazards and occurrences in the area. The 2007 fire prompted the creation of Puakō’s nearly 3-mile long fuelbreak with the facilitation of a U.S. Forest Service Wildland-Urban Interface grant from Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO). HWMO is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Waimea that has been providing the Hawaiian Islands with nationally recognized wildfire protection services since 2000. We serve as the hub of the collaborative wildfire efforts of government agencies, nongovernment organizations, and communities across Hawaiʻi. For more information, go to hawaiiwildfire.org. 

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Some of the members of the Puako Firewise Committee who helped the community achieve Firewise Communities recognition.

In 2016, Puakō residents concerned with the wildfire issues in their community, came together to form a Firewise Committee that would work towards Firewise Community recognition. The NFPA Firewise Communities Recognition Program, which over 1,300 communities are currently participating in, certifies communities that have banded together to reduce their wildfire risks through a five-step process. HWMO is pleased to announce that, thanks to the efforts of proactive residents in the community and help from various partners, Puakō is now an official Firewise Community as of 2016. The benefits of being a Firewise Community include community-building, increasing wildfire awareness, gaining greater access to funding and assistance, and possible reduction to insurance costs in the near future. Most importantly, a Firewise Community is better protected from wildfire. Puakō now joins 6 other new Firewise Communities on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island that HWMO was able to assist this past year, making it a total of 9 communities with this honor.

Wildfires not only impact communities, businesses, infrastructure, native forests, and cultural resources, but they also affect our watersheds and coral reefs (check out the video HWMO produced in 2016: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=ZtsG5fP-Z9Y)...

Heavy rain events after fires cause erosion that sloughs off topsoil leaving some areas completely denuded and unable to support vegetation. Post-fire erosion fills streams with sediment, depositing it in the ocean. This sedimentation smothers coral reefs, massively impacting water quality, fisheries, and long term coral health. By reducing the wildfire threats in Puakō, being a Firewise Community also means protecting the area’s wai and kai. Mahalo to Puakō residents for all the hard work you put in this past year!

Highway Reopens as Firefighters Battle Five Fires Along Highway 190

"Firefighters survey the scene at mile marker 15 on Thursday afternoon." (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)

Arson is a serious offense and can have detrimental consequences on our communities, lands, and waters. And, of course, fires tax our resources and put our brave firefighters in harm's way. Please report any suspicious activity to Hawaii Police Department at (808) 935-3311.

From the Source:

"

The brush fires were located near mile markers 22, 19, 16 and 15.5 and the highway’s intersection with Waikoloa Road in South Kohala. All of the fires were located on the makai side of the road, with the exception of the fire near mile marker 15.5.

The fire near the 15.5 mile marker was estimated at 25 acres, while the remaining four fires were kept small due to favorable conditions and quick response times. The fire burned primarily in state Department of Land and Natural Resources land."

Waikoloa's New Fire Management Committee

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Waikoloa Fire Management Committee

Waikoloa is entering a new phase in wildfire protection with the formation of a new Fire Management Committee made up of four knowledgeable go-getters! As their first major goal, they are working with HWMO to become the largest Firewise Community in the State of Hawaii. HWMO completed a hazard assessment report for the village and the committee will now work on developing an action plan. We thank the new committee members for stepping to the plate to help protect the village from wildfires!

NOTE: The brief article is on page 3.

From the Source:

"WVA now has a newly formed Fire Management Action Committee. Team members are Mark Gordon (Chair), Wayne Awai, Bev Brand, Dave Faucette. The current goal of the Committee is to achieve a National Firewise Community designation for Waikoloa Village by the end of 2016.

On Tuesday, Sept. 13th 2016, members of the Committee, along with staff from Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, Hawaii Fire Department, Waikoloa Dryland Forest Initiative and the Department of Forestry and Wildlife conducted a Firewise Community Hazard Assessment. This involved conducting a home ignition zone assessment of 3 homes as varying examples of common wildfire hazards and Firewise modifications made to minimize exposure from embers and heat from wildfire. In addition, priority areas at risk of wildfire were examined by the team to determine what steps could be done to make the greater community more Firewise."

PHOTOS: Kanehoa Community Clears the Way to Being 'Firewise'

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Credit: HWMO

We cannot be any happier to see the great work the Kanehoa Firewise Committee and residents have put in to reduce the wildfire threat in their area. The second Firewise Community in Hawaii is well on their way to retaining that title for this year and beyond!

From the Source:

"Members of the Kanehoa community spent their Saturday making their community safer against the threat of wildfires.

The Hawai’i Wildfire Management’s Wildfire Prep Day provided communities across the island, state, and nation to participate in a day of preparation in honor of Wildfire Preparedness Month.

In total, two dozen Kanehoa community members joined in to remove an entire large dumpster with haole koa, also known as ekoa. The plant is known to be highly flammable and has the potential to create embers that can spark new fires, both near and far away."

"'All of us at Hawai’i Wildfire Management Organization are very proud of the work the Kanehoa community has contributed towards reducing the wildfire threat in their area and we hope more communities will follow their lead,' Pablo Akira Beimler, HWMO Community Outreach Coordinator, said in an e-mail.

Beimler says the efforts greatly reduced the wildfire threat by ensuring the roads can act as a fuel break to slow the spread of wildfire."

South Kohala Brush Fires Close Highway 190

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"Parker Ranch Firefighters douse hotspots on a brush fire makai of Hwy 190 on Sunday afternoon. (Laura Shimabuku/West Hawaii Today)"

A string of arson fires caused another headache for firefighters and motorists on Sunday, April 10th. Please report any suspicious activity to the police. 

From the Source:

"Firefighters were busy battling three brush fires on Sunday.

Highway 190, between Waikoloa Road and mile marker 6, was closed for about five hours as three separate fires. One of the fires, located near mile marker 8, was consumed about 10 acres on the makai side of the highway while the other two fires were kept small."

Small Structure Burns Down in Waimea Fire

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Photo Credit: Keoni Delacruz Veloria

A wildfire in Waimea (Kamuela), our home base, burned 125 acres of pastureland and burned down a structure that supported power to a nearby residence on Monday, March 28th. Creating defensible space not only around the home, but around all structures is very important for wildfire readiness purposes. We are glad to hear no one was injured and no homes were lost thanks to firefighter efforts!

From the Source:

"Weather conditions on the island haven't helped the situation, and residents shouldn't look for those conditions to improve markedly any time soon.

Maureen Ballard, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Honolulu, said a front is situated over Maui County but is dissipating as it moves along -- limiting its potential to generate rainfall. She added that there are likely trade winds to follow, but they will be drier trades, probably creating only a few lighter afternoon showers.

Firefighters Battle 'Suspicious' Fires in South Kohala, North Kona

Great to see amazing cooperation among our first response agencies who are putting their lives at stake to control a number of simultaneous wildfires in the Puu Anahulu area. Mahalo for all of their hard work and dedication!

Please report any suspicious activity to 911. Also please follow roadblock instructions from HPD personnel. Mahalo for your kokua and stay safe.

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"Several fires broke out above Highway 190 near mile markers 17 and 18 and its intersection with the Daniel K. Inouye Highway Thursday. (Rick Winters/West Hawaii Today)"

From the Source:

"Firefighters continued to battle multiple “suspicious” brush fires in South Kohala and North Kona that had consumed more than 300 acres as of Thursday evening.

Hawaii Fire Department Battalion Chief Gantry Andrade told West Hawaii Today that officials considered the fires “suspicious.” All of the fires were reported shortly before 4 p.m. in dry brush and fountain grass near major roadways in the vicinity of the Daniel K. Inouye Highway.

“It’s unlikely multiple fires would start in multiple locations at the same time,” he said. Hawaii Fire Department investigators were on the scene and looking into the cause of the blaze as of press time."

"Luckily, wind conditions were in firefighters’ favor throughout the afternoon and evening with mild winds blowing out of the northeast that allowed crews to keep the fire from growing larger, he said.

An array of firefighters remained at the scenes of the fires as of press time, including state, county, volunteer and federal assets. During daylight hours, the firefighters were assisted by two Hawaii County helicopters performing water drops."

Parched: Driest January on Record for Parts of West Hawaii

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"Charred earth from the recent fire near Palamanui is seen along side of dry grass from the persisting drought in North Kona. (Laura Shimabuku/West Hawaii Today)"

What is on pace for the 2nd strongest El Nino on record is not good news for those worried about wildfire. The key take away is that even if your area is considered "wet side", when there is no rain, the rainforest can burn. 

Here's a news piece with quotes from our Executive Director, Elizabeth Pickett, and a long-time partner of ours, Jen Lawson, who directs the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative.

From the Source:

"The Pacific is experiencing what will likely pan out to be the second strongest El Nino on record, behind only 1997-98. True to pattern, a snuffing out of the normal trade wind pattern and its accompanying showers are following the El Nino. If the past is any indication and long-term predictions hold up, there may be no relief in sight through April."

"West Hawaii had a very wet summer, leading to high loads of vegetation which have now dried out, causing concern for fire management officials. In Waikoloa, expanses of invasive buffelgrass and fountain grass have become parched, said Jen Lawson, who directs the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative.

'We’ve had no precipitation at the forest in more than 12 weeks,' she said. 'Wildfire is what we are thinking most about now.”

Kodama said light winds have helped spare dry areas from fast-spreading fires. But that could change as winds pick up going into spring and conditions continue to dry out, he said.

Elizabeth Pickett, executive director of the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, said her group will be stepping up its fire safety outreach in the face of the drought.

'We have a pretty high hazard out there; now is time to be proactive and really be aware of the fire issue,' Pickett said. 'We’re getting very concerned.'"

HWMO Awarded the 2016 Ready Set Go! Leadership Award for Career Department

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Students from Malama Kai Foundation's Ocean Warriors program read through Ready, Set, Go! Action Guides - part of an integrated approach to empower keiki to share what they've learned with their family and general public.

We are honored to be this year's 2016 Ready Set Go! Leadership Award for Career Department recipient! The Ready, Set, Go! program has been an incredible partner and a crucial resource for wildfire preparation information over the past few years. Big mahalo for all of their kokua over the years!

We look forward to formally accepting the award at this year's Wildland-Urban Interface Conference in Reno on March 9th!

From the Source:

• The RSG Award for Excellence
  • Flower Mound (Texas) Fire Department

• The RSG Innovation Award
  • Austin (Texas) Fire Department Wildfire Division

• The RSG Leadership Award
  • Career Department: Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization
  • Volunteer/Combination Department: Aubrey (Texas) Fire Department

"The winners have incorporated the RSG! Program into their prefire mitigation or preparedness outreach. They’ve also demonstrated innovation in expanding the program to neighboring emergency service groups to enhance wildfire readiness throughout their communities. These RSG champions have helped their communities become actively engaged in the wildland-fire solution."

"Recently, HWMO created and printed a state Action Guide, taking steps to make it as detailed and specific to their region as possible. HWMO used RSG education as a first step toward community engagement in order to ensure RSG principles are not only shared but also put into action. They worked with partners and their community to develop a strategic and innovative process that started with an initial CWPP meeting to identify community-based priorities and wildfire concerns. Their innovative and engaging ideas in promoting RSG and fire wise landscaping make them this year’s winner of the RSG Leadership Award for Career Departments."

Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization Supports Formation of Firewise Communities in Hawaii

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"According to the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, about 0.5% of Hawaii’s total land area burns annually, as much or more than the proportion of land are burned in any other US state. In Hawaii, 98% of wildfires are human caused."

We are extremely grateful to be a part of the Firewise Communities program and were highlighted for our efforts in January's National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Fire Break newsletter!

From the Source:

"Wildfire in Hawaii, like anywhere else, threatens the safety of firefighters, residents andhomes. It also causes damage to the air quality, which impacts human health, and contributes to soil erosion problems that can cause damage to sensitive coral reefs. One of the partners in Hawaii working to help lessen the loss due to wildfire in Hawaii is the Hawaiian Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO). They are a small nonprofit organization that has been working together with fire departments, the Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife, communities and others to help develop Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) and Firewise Communities. The HWMO was officially founded in 2000 by a group of South Kohala/North Kona regional experts who wanted to create a non-profit organization to serve as an arm for the fire suppression and land management agencies to conduct prevention, pre-suppression, and post-fire work. They became incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit in 2002. Since then, they have grown to not only address wildfire issues for all of Hawaii Island, but also the entire state and some of the Western Pacific (namely Yap, Palau, Guam).

According to Pablo Beimler, Coordinator with HWMO, "'Although we have a small staff, HWMO is continually able to accomplish a number of projects due to its extensive partnerships. We can't say it enough: by staying in communication with our partners on each project, and expanding partnerships where needed, they are able to ensure our projects stay grounded and effective.'"

"Pablo described other wildfire preparedness projects in which HWMO is involved. "We have a Firewise demonstration garden in Waikoloa Village, where we have a number of native, drought-tolerant plants growing strategically around a demo home to give community members an example of good defensible space practices. Our team has held a number of community events at the garden and have had a youth environmental empowerment group called the Malama Kai Ocean Warriors help be the ‘stewards’ of the garden. In terms of other youth outreach, we also go to numerous schools and youth programs to teach students about wildfire prevention and preparedness, including Firewise and Ready, Set, Go! principles. We also hold community wildfire preparedness workshops for various organizations/groups or for the general public where we give people a run-down on Firewise and Ready, Set, Go!."  

Student Earns National Fire Prevention Award

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"Waimea Middle School student Kyren Martins was selected as one of 10 national recipients of the $500 'TakeAction' community service funding award."

Out of our superb team of action takers in Waimea sprouted a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) #‎TakeAction winner! Congratulations Kyren Martins!

From the Source:

"Five Waimea Middle School students assembled together in a group organized by the Hawai’i Wildlife Management Organization to address wildfire prevention and preparedness. One of those students gained national recognition."

"Martins and Rillanos created prevention signs, Murakami-Mattos worked on a video project that focuses on 'good versus bad defensible space,' and Bell-Kaopuiki and Rivera joined together to remove flammable plant debris from the Mālaʻai Culinary Garden.

Martins was one of ten national recipients. His family was affected by the Kawaihae fire and flooding that followed in August. As a project, Martins made and installed a wildfire prevention sign at the edge of his home, visible from the roadway."

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Waimea Youth Wildfire Prep Team

Lower Sea Temperatures Could Bring Positive Conditions for Stressed Coral

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Credit: West Hawaii Today

Good news in the short-term with coral recovery after a stressful El Nino summer for our precious coastal resources. However, in the long run, our coral reefs face a number of challenges, one of those being post-fire runoff from wildfires. We are expected for a very dry winter, which could mean an uptick in wildfires. An increase in wildfires could mean more trouble for our reefs once the exposed soil is potentially washed out to sea by rainfall.

From the Source:

"'Many of the bleached corals in Kaneohe Bay are now showing signs of recovery — that is, their color is returning to normal darker brown rather than very pale brown or white that was the state of play in the middle of the bleaching event in September,' Gates said. 'The immediate threat to corals associated with higher than normal sea water temperatures has receded. The longer term impact of the bleaching event remain to be seen, sometimes bleached corals recover but they fail to reproduce the following year. This is not good.'"

"On land, El Nino is expected to dry out the Big Island and even cause drought, especially in leeward areas where the winter tends to be the dry season anyway. Fire personnel also expect the dry weather ahead to raise fire danger because of a massive fuel load created when vegetation flourished during heavy rainfall this summer."

Fire Endangers Kohala Again as Kawaihae Blaze Carries Memories of Destructive Summer Fire

"The wreckage from a semi and fire truck collision is seen on Kawaihae Road Friday afternoon. Laura Shimabuku/West Hawaii Today"

The first sign of a busy winter occurred in Kawaihae this week. Although the area turned green and lush after the large summer Kawaihae fire that scarred 4,000+ acres, that also meant more plant growth and thus more fuel for the next fire. Within a few months, a chunk of the area that burned in August burned again. We call this the fire cycle. 

Unfortunately, two HFD firefighters were injured when responding to the wildfire. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them and their ohana and we hope for a speedy recovery. We must give thanks everyday (not just on Thanksgiving) to the incredible firefighters who put their bodies and lives on the line to protect our communities and natural resources from fire. 

From the Source:

"The residents of Kawaihae Village had another immediate view of the progressing blaze, as several watched the varying size of the smoke column, the actions of the Fire Department’s water-dropping helicopters and efforts of ground-based firefighters."

"Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira said on Monday that they expect the upcoming dry season to have numerous fires. The unusually heavy rains encouraged plant growth, he said, particularly fountain grass. The invasive species survives fires, unlike native life, and 'makes excellent fuel for fires,' according to the Hawaii Invasive Species Council.

Oliveira said fountain grass forms the majority of fuel in the wildfires they see."

Fending Off a Fire: Workshop Offers Hands-On Fire Extinguisher Training

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"Fire Battalion Chief Joseph Farias left indicates where to aim the spray to Mary and Dale Watson at a fire extinguisher workshop Saturday at the Waikoloa Stables. Laura Shimabuku/West Hawaii Today"

Mahalo West Hawaii Today for including the recent training we helped put together with Waikoloa CERT with additional help from Hawaii Fire Department!

From the Source:

"October is Fire Prevention Month which has been recognized since 1871, the year of the Great Chicago Fire that claimed the lives of more than 250 people, leaving 100,000 homeless and destroying over 17,400 structures. Part of the month-long commemoration, The Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) sponsored a fire extinguisher workshop Saturday at the Waikoloa Stables.

The free workshop not only explained the components of this commonplace item, it also allowed students to have hands-on training in its correct use. Under the supervision of Hawaii County Fire Department personnel, each attendee was given the opportunity to PASS - pull the pin, aim, squeeze and sweep. Classifications of various extinguishers was also explained and which ones are best for home use in different scenarios."

Dealing with Wildfires in North Hawaii

HWMO, along with its fire agency partners, are highlighted in this week's edition of North Hawaii News! Get the inside scoop on what it took to fight the challenging Kawaihae Fire last month from those who were on the front lines. You'll also find some of the work HWMO is doing to keep wildfire occurrences and destructive effects to a minimum. 

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Aftermath of Kawaihae fire that burned from makai to mauka. (Pablo Beimler/HWMO)

From the Source:

"With fewer per capita emergency resources than higher populated areas like Honolulu, HFD has to make strategic use of available resources to cover large geographic areas on challenging terrain. Communication, coordination among units, planning, training, equipment and following well-established priorites are crucial, according to Captain Sommers."

"Pablo Beimler, education and outreach coordinator for Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO), has created a compelling video vividly depicting the Kawaihae wildfire’s cumulative damage to coastal areas. It can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kNo7Ucv28Y.

With this month’s fire coming close to the ocean, HWMO’s Executive Director Elizabeth Pickett says, “'Most residents do not readily connect wildfire to coastal impacts because there is frequently a lag time and often geographic distance between fires and storm events.'"

HWMO VIDEO: Kawaihae Fire and Flood 2015 - Mauka to Makai Impacts

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Post-fire debris smothers coastline near Mauumae Beach.

Starting on August 8th, Kawaihae experienced a brushfire that threatened local communities, businesses, and cultural sites. Over a week later, the impacts of the wildfire have reached another precious resource: our coastline. 

We just produced a short video demonstrating the mauka-to-makai effects of wildfire with recent footage and photographs documenting the post-fire floods that have and are continuing to have negative impacts on our nearshore resources including coral reefs.

At the end of the video is an important message about how you can join us in taking action to prevent troubling events like these.

Enjoy and make sure to spread this video and the messages in it to everyone you know!

The recent Kawaihae Fire burned over 4,500 acres of wildland in the Northwest region of Hawaii Island. The wildfire directly impacted local communities, businesses, and cultural sites. One week later, the wildfire impacted coastal resources through unprecedented levels of post-fire flooding.

VIDEO: Flash Flooding Near Kawaihae Filmed

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Screen capture from Big Island Video News.

On Monday, August 17th, a storm brought heavy rainfall to the State, including the Northwest side of Hawaii Island. Inches of rain fell each hour, which as you can imagine created frightening flash flood scenarios. Highways were shut down, vehicles were stranded, and dozens of residents evacuated the Kawaihae area. An unprecedented amount of murky stormwater ran through the streams and streets of Kawaihae and as of this morning, continues to find routes to the ocean. 

These shocking videos show just how dramatic the post-fire erosion event was last night. 

Puukohola Heiau Cancels Cultural Festival

"90 percent of the vegetation on the park’s 80 acres. Pu‘ukoholā Heiau is in the background. (NPS photo)"

Due to the recent brushfire in Kawaihae and the need to continue to assess damages to the cultural sites, Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site will remain closed and will cancel the Hookuikahi Establishment Day Hawaiian Cultural Festival, scheduled for Aug. 15 and 16.

From the Source:

"The 43rd annual Ho‘oku‘ikahi Establishment Day Hawaiian Cultural Festival will not be rescheduled this year. Instead, the National Park Service said in a media release:

… the public is encouraged to save the date for next year’s festival, scheduled for Aug. 13 & 14, 2016. Next year also marks the 225th anniversary of the completion of the heiau in 1791, and the centennial anniversary of the National Park Service.

'We regret the inconvenience of having to close temporarily and for having to cancel the festival that so many enjoy,' said Superintendent Kawaiaea. 'As always, our priority is the safety of park staff, our visitors, and the practitioners,' he said."

Kawaihae Fire Continues Up Kohala Mountains

A view of the burned land around the main heiau at Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site. The National Park Service said the building suffered no apparent damage. National Park Service photo

The large Kawaihae Fire that burned from makai to mauka with swirling winds continues to burn upslope. Stay tuned to updates from Civil Defense - flare-ups  are always a possibility so it's important to stay vigilant!

Thankfully, our communities were spared from major damage and although the Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site lost much of its vegetation, including native plants, we're happy to hear that the actual heiau structures were left unscathed.

From the Source:

"'Puukohola Heiau, the massive stone temple where King Kamehameha the Great launched his successful quest to unite the Hawaiian Islands in 1810, did not sustain any damage in the fire, nor did the older Mailekini Heiau below it. The homestead site of British sailor John Young, who served as King Kamehameha’s adviser, also appears unscathed,' the NPS wrote in a press release.

The fire burned 90 percent of the native and non-native vegetation of the 80-acre park.

The brush fire came within 'a few feet of the visitor’s center and park headquarters,' the NPS wrote, but firefighters halted it. Both lack phone and Internet service, but the visitor center still has water and electricity."

Kawaihae Brush Fire Scours Area, Consumes More Than 4,650 Acres

"The brush fire burns Saturday night near Kawaihae. Maisie Grossart/Special to West Hawaii Today"

Mahalo to our firefighter agencies who have been working tirelessly in a collaborative effort to help protect communities and other resources from the biggest wildfire on Hawaii Island this year. Chief Moller of PTA explained: "a fire on an island is like a submarine — everyone has to work together to save it."

Also mahalo to all those who cooperated with the fire departments and left gifts for firefighters. "It's important for the firefighters to know they are so well supported by the community," Chief Rosario said.

From the Source:

"The fire ran within a foot of the road into the village and came closer to the bank of mailboxes at the end of the street.

However, the line held and the town suffered no damage, beyond scorched fields and a burned out car in an exterior lot."

"Rosario said the public cooperation made for a much safer and more effective effort.

'I know it’s difficult to have someone come to your door and ask you to leave,' he said, but it’s important for response.

There were also many gifts provided to the firefighters. Food and drinks were brought in throughout the day and stacked on a picnic table.

It’s important for the firefighters to know they are so well supported by the community, Rosario said."