#HWMO

The course focuses on honing the skills of firefighting personnel as they fight fires in the “wildland urban interface” (WUI), the area where wildland fires begin to impact built up areas and structures. The training will take place from Oct. 6-9, 2026.

The four-day training, attended by both Maui firefighters and community volunteers, covered wildfire and home ignition fundamentals, homeowner engagement and communication, HWMO’s home assessment process and software, and included classroom sessions as well as extensive hands-on field practice.

Grants of up to $300,000 are now available for high-impact, shovel-ready projects that reduce hazardous fuels and improve wildfire safety in areas where communities and natural landscapes meet. The Fiscal Year 2026–2027 grant round will provide $1.5 million in funding for wildfire mitigation projects statewide.

Five organizations will host a free open webinar to address a national insurance crisis, triggered by wildfires across the US over the last 8 to 5 years.

Surfrider Foundation, Pacific Fire Exchange, and Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization, have released Re-planting After Fire: A Fire-Resilient Landscape Guide for Lahaina & West Maui — a new, free resource created specifically for the Lahaina and West Maui community.

These efforts are at the top of the state’s list of 10 priorities for improving wildfire prevention after the deadly and destructive blaze on Maui in 2023.

The Surfrider Foundation has launched a new digital resource, “Re-planting After Fire: A Fire-Resilient Landscape Guide for Lahaina & West Maui,” created to help residents rebuild with safer, more resilient landscapes following the 2023 Maui wildfires.

On Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset will welcome Cassandra Smith, Maui County Firewise Coordinator with the Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO), as its featured speaker.

As rebuilding efforts continue nearly two years after the devastating Lahaina wildfires, the Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO) is hosting two free webinars to introduce a new resource: “Building for Wildfire Resilience in Hawaiʻi: Materials, Costs and Safer Choices.”

Attorney General Anne Lopez announced the conclusion of the Department of the Attorney General’s investigation of state and county government response to the August 2023 Lahaina Fire.

At a news conference Wednesday, state, county and nonprofit organizations involved in wildfire prevention and suppression, noted that since the devastating series of fires in August 2023, people are finally beginning to pay attention to the risk. They also emphasized that many parts of Hawai‘i continue to be impacted by prolonged drought conditions, with drought already impacting an estimated 386,000 people across the state.

US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined in introducing a bipartisan, bicameral resolution designating May as “National Wildfire Preparedness Month.” The introduction of this resolution comes as recovery efforts continue following the devastating Lahaina wildfires in 2023 and the Los Angeles fires earlier this year.

With hurricane and wildfire season coming up, Hawaiian Electric hosts a West Maui Emergency Preparedness Open House event to help prepare residents and their communities on Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria. 

The Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization has been recognized by the National Association of State Foresters as a leader in wildfire mitigation.

The Kula Community Watershed Alliance will host a community conversation focused on residential wildfire prevention and resilience on Thursday, April 3, 2025. The virtual Zoom event, starting at 6 p.m., is designed to equip residents with the tools and knowledge needed to make their homes fire-resistant and reduce the risk of wildfires in the community.

Two homestead communities were recognized at last Thursday’s wildfire summit for their efforts, commitment and contributions to the Firewise program.

The Hawaiʻi Fire Department this week teamed up with partners from across the state at the Hawaiʻi Wildfire Summit, a multi-agency gathering held on Hawaiʻi Island to tackle the pressing challenges of wildfire prevention and preparedness.

Wildfire experts, community leaders, emergency responders and policymakers will gather together for the 2025 Hawaiʻi Wildfire Summit, Feb. 27-28 in Kona on Hawaiʻi Island. They’ll share insights and tackle challenges aimed at building a stronger, more wildfire resilient Hawaiʻi.

Elizabeth Pickett, the long-time co-executive director of the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO) was honored today at a ceremony in New York City, as one of the 2024 Grist 50. Grist bills itself as the only newsroom focused on finding solutions at the intersection of climate and justice.

County of Maui Department of Water Supply is kicking off water conservation campaign “Don’t Waste a Drop” to help mitigate the impacts of drought on water supply.