Firewise Committee

News and Events:
 
Hulu Holoholo – The most recent Evacuation Road Open House was held February 17, 2024, 9:00-11:00 AM. For more information about this event and to view a video of the road, please visit our Hulu Holoholo website.
 
Waikōloa Wildfire Talk StoryThe WVA Firewise Committee hosted a public wildfire talk story on October 10, 2023, 5:00-7:00PM. The panelists included: 
  • Elizabeth Pickett – Co-Executive Director, Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization
  • Tim Richards, District 4 Senator, Hawaiʻi State Senate
  • Mitch Roth, Mayor, Hawaiʻi County
  • Cindy Evans, District 9 Councilmember, Hawaiʻi County Council
  • Eric Moller, Deputy Fire Chief, Hawaiʻi County Fire Department
  • Talmadge Magno, Administrator, Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense
  • Colton Ching, Senior Vice President of Planning and Technology, Hawaiʻi Electric Company
  • Geoff Fulks, General Manager, Hawaiʻi Water Service

About Us:
 
The WVA Firewise Committee is a unique committee of the WVA. It was initiated by WVA Members who wished to implement a program sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) called Firewise USA Communities. This program enables local organizations to implement procedures and guidelines that reduce the risk of wildfires and therein become part of the nationally recognized Firewise USA network.
 
Waikōloa Village obtained Firewise Certification in 2016 and has renewed this certification each year since.
 
The purpose of the WVA Firewise Committee is to provide education, leadership, and direction to help WVA Members adapt to living with wildfire risks, and to encourage all neighbors in the community to work together and take action to prevent losses. This page is dedicated to providing you with information about risk, mitigation, and best practices to keep you and your ʻohana safe.
 
Some of the efforts being undertaken by WVA to reduce the impact of wildland fires include:
 
  • Grazing leases for cattle on vacant WVA lands (with the help of feral goats) to reduce the fire fuel load by keeping the grasses short.
  • Maintaining and expanding firebreaks around residential areas.
  • Mowing overgrown grass and shrubs in accessible areas.
  • Encouraging and educating residents on how to harden their properties and homes against the risk of fire.
  • Familiarizing residents with the Emergency Exit Road from the bottom of Hulu St. to Queen Ka’ahumanu Hwy.
  • Consistent community wildfire preparedness actions to maintain annual national recognition as a Firewise USA Community.
Much remains to be done to protect our families and homes from wildfires that are predicted to grow in frequency and intensity.  The WVA Firewise committee welcomes more members to join and contribute to our efforts to protect our community.
 
Committee documents can be found on the Members page under the Firewise Committee heading.
 
Reducing Fire Risks in Your Home:
 
Fire & Ignition Zone Basics
Learn the basics about fire and how to protect your home. The Fire & Ignition Zone Basics document provides some of this basic information and guidance.
 
Smoke Alarms
When did you last change the batteries in your smoke alarms. If you can’t remember, it’s time to do it. Although we don’t change our clocks twice a year, consider changing your batteries twice a year, when the mainland changes its clocks.
 
Fire Extinguishers
With proper training and education, fire extinguishers can save lives and property. Many adults might not know how or when to use fire extinguishers. The U.S. Fire Administration provides a guide to Choosing and Using Fire Extinguishers.
 
Surge Protector/Power Strip Safety
Every year, thousands of fires result from the improper use of, or damaged surge protectors, power strips and electrical cords.
 
Fire Causes and Risks
The National Fire Protection Association: Public Education site contains a huge variety of resources to help keep you safe from fire. It provides information on the top five home fire risks, safety tip sheets for each of the risks, guidelines for making your home more fire resistant, etc. There are also resources for our keiki, including links to Sparky Schoolhouse resources.
 
Preparing for Wildfires:
 
The community of Waikōloa Village is one of the most at-risk communities in the state, due to its high winds, history of nearby human-caused ignitions, location on the wildland-urban interface, and prevalence of fire-prone vegetation. The area has been the site of all of the largest fires in recent state history. A history of wildfires in our area can be viewed here.
 
Its residents are living with under-addressed fire hazards that are located both adjacent to and within the subdivision, and that lie under the responsibility of diverse parties to address. It is only a matter of time before the next large wildfire will threaten the community. There is great need to foster perpetual proactive community action toward preventing ignitions, reducing fuels, and increasing emergency preparedness and planning. [Waikōloa Village Firewise Community Hazard Assessment, 10/16]
 
 
Report Firewise Activity
 
You can help us retain our certification, while improving the safety of your home. When you engage in any activities to reduce your fire risk, please record this information on our Firewise Recording Form. You can scan the QR Code below to open the Recording Form. 
 
 
The following are some examples of activities that help keep our community Firewise:
  • Landscaping around your property to reduce vegetation load (eg: removing grass, tree branches, bushes, anything flammable, etc.), or contracting a company to do this for you
  • Clearing flammable debris from around/on your home (eg: cleaning gutters, , removing leaves from the base of structures, etc.)
  • Recording your green waste weight when you drop it off at the Transfer Station
  • Altering your home to be less likely to ignite due to wild fire (eg: install a fire-resistant class A roof, cleaning out gutters, etc.)
  • Developing and practicing an emergency evacuation plan (with your neighbors and family)
  • Attending meetings or educational events to increase community involvement
  • Participating/assisting with Firewise activities within or around your community
  • Rental of a commercial container to remove green waste from yours and neighbors' properties

Waikōloa Village Association

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Waikoloa, HI 96738

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Waikoloa, HI 96738

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Waikoloa, HI 96738

(t) 808.883.9704

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Waikoloa, HI 96738

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