#wildfire mitigation

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 Kula Community Watershed Alliance invites residents and stakeholders to its next Community Conversation, a virtual event focused on wildfire behavior in invasive tree-dominated forests. The event takes place on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at 6 p.m. via Zoom.

The County of Maui will hold a meeting for the Lahaina community on fire prevention, mitigation and evacuation planning at 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 16, 2025, at the Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary School cafeteria.

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., today announced the appointment of Dori Booth as Hawaiʻi’s new State Fire Marshal, reviving a critical public safety position that has been vacant for nearly 46 years. The original Office of the State Fire Marshal was abolished by Act 241 of the 1978 Session Laws of Hawaiʻi, with its responsibilities devolved to the counties as of July 1, 1979.

The press conference highlighted a growing coalition of voices demanding immediate and sustained action to protect residents, improve infrastructure, and mitigate wildfire risks on the Leeward Coast. 

The Kula Community Association (KCA) has formally called on Gov. Josh Green and the State of Hawaiʻi to take urgent action in advance of what is expected to be another challenging wildfire season in Upcountry Maui.

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

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.

In the heart of Māʻalaea Village, nestled on Maui’s south shore, a community’s love for the land drives its dual battle against environmental degradation and wildfire risk. This close-knit village, a hub for marine research and education, is home to the Hawaiʻian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, Keʻālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, and visitor treasures like the Maui Ocean Center and the Pacific Whale Foundation.

Total requests for general funds amount to $10.4 billion in fiscal year 2026 and $10.5 billion in fiscal year 2027, which represents an increase of $620 million (6.3%) in the first year and $664 million (6.7%) in the second year.  

Hawaiian Electric is monitoring weather conditions across the state, which may lead to an increased risk of wildfires. This comes after the National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning due to a forecast of low humidity and strong winds through Thursday afternoon. If needed to protect public safety, Hawaiian Electric reports it may implement its Public Safety Power Shutoff program to proactively shut off power in communities with high exposure to wildfire risk.

Since launching its expanded wildfire safety strategy one year ago, Hawaiian Electric reports making significant improvements to reduce wildfire risk from its equipment. Actions include a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program, replacing and testing thousands of utility poles, upgrading miles of overhead power lines, clearing instrusive vegetation near electrical equipment, and installing weather stations and AI-assisted high definition […]

A joint informational briefing hosted by the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, the Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, and the Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism takes place at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. The purpose of this joint informational briefing is for Hawaiian Electric Company to present its Wildfire Mitigation Plan, which was ordered by the Public Utilities Commission.

Dozens of high school students and volunteers removed more than 30 abandoned cars from a parcel of Hawaiian homelands in Anahola, Kauaʻi Thursday as part of a community effort to reduce the risk of wildfires in the area.

Hawaiian Electric is raising awareness about its drone operations after one of its contracted drones was damaged while midair, downing the tool as it was being used to inspect overhead lines on Maui last week. Company representatives say the drone was purposely targeted. As part of its ongoing wildfire safety strategy, Hawaiian Electric is using unmanned aircrafts, or drones, for aerial inspections within Maui County, Hawai‘i Island and O‘ahu to inspect its electrical infrastructure in identified wildfire risk areas.

A report by the the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety recommends rebuilding strategies to prevent future wildfire disasters, such as the conflagration that engulfed Lahaina Aug. 8-9, 2023, killing at least 102 people and destroying more than 1,500 structures, mostly homes.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has gathered online resources for homeowners, business owners and others to recover from last year’s wildfire disaster and protect themselves in the future.

Students at Leihōkū Elementary in Waiʻanae returned to school last week with an additional layer of protection against wildfires. A 1,000-foot firebreak was cleared along the school’s fenceline recently thanks to a community-driven initiative funded by Hawaiian Electric.

The project includes the installation of 52 weather stations on four islands. The weather stations, mounted on Hawaiian Electric utility poles, will provide meteorological data that will help the company to decide whether to activate and deactivate a public safety power shutoff, or PSPS. Under the PSPS program launched July 1, Hawaiian Electric may preemptively shut off power in areas that are at high risk of wildfires during periods of forecast high winds and dry conditions.

Hawaiian Electric Company will host Emergency Preparedness Open Houses in Upcountry and West Maui to discuss their Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program. A separate event is planned in Central Maui as part of the Maui County Disaster Preparedness Expo.