Waiʻanae Wildfire Mitigation Outreach

An informal partnership of non-profit organizations, government agencies, public schools, and dedicated community members has come together to address the serious threats of wildfires in the Waiʻanae moku. We all want to lower the risk and prepare for if and when they happen.

Thanks to the foresight of leaders at the Hawaiʻi Dept. of Education and Leihōkū Elementary School, and the cooperation of the Dept. of Hawaiian Homelands, a fuel reduction demonstration project will take place before summer 2024. Other demonstration projects are planned. Mahalo to Hawaiian Electric for supporting this initial planning and implementation process.

Leihōkū Wildfire Mitigation Demonstration Project
Beginning in late May of 2024, Initial clearing of grass, brush, and kiawe branches will be performed by Kuahiwi Fencing and Wildlife Services behind Leihōkū Elementary School to reduce the threat of wildfires, which has happened many times in the past. Mahalo to Dept. of Hawaiian Home Lands for Right of Entry Permit and Hawaiian Electric for funding for this important project. Leihōkū Elementary students will develop ideas to keep the area free of fuel for wildfires.

The firebreak will extend for 1,000 ft x 30 ft between Puʻu Māʻiliʻili and the school.

Informational Presentations

All schools in the Nānākuli-Waiʻanae Complex Area have focused on wildfires in the school year 2023-2024. This shared effort will help the entire community along the coast to be better prepared for and help prevent wildfires to protect our ʻāina, kai, and kaiāulu (community).

Invasive Grasses = Fuel

These resources are from the Pacific Fire Exchange, a joint program of the Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. https://pacificfireexchange.org/