In August 2015, a 4,000-acre wildfire threatened a number of homes and businesses in the Kawaihae area. Nearly a week later, heavy rainfall swept the exposed, loose, post-fire soil and debris through stream channels and roads, creating flash flood conditions
In August 2015, a 4,000-acre wildfire threatened a number of homes and businesses in the Kawaihae area. Nearly a week later, heavy rainfall swept the exposed, loose, post-fire soil and debris through stream channels and roads, creating flash flood conditions that caused further evacuations.
The clear connection between wildfires, flooding and smothering of coral reefs during the event led the Waimea-based nonprofit Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization to create a YouTube video titled: “Kawaihae Fire and Flood — Mauka to Makai Impacts” (www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kNo7Ucv28Y).
Although the current El Niño brought Hawaii a wet summer, very dry conditions are forecast this winter. Drought during past El Niños has led to some of Hawaii’s largest wildfires — on windward and leeward sides.
The next Kawaihae fire could be right around the corner.
With recent wildfires and El Niño predictions in mind, HWMO assembled a group of five enthusiastic students from Waimea Middle School who were eager to complete a community wildfire prevention or preparedness project. Kyren Martins, Zakahry Murakami-Mattos, Kawehi Bell-Kaopuiki, Zariah Rivera and Jamin-Quinn Lee Rillanos joined the Youth Wildfire Prep Team in November, working on projects they developed and executed on their own.
Kyren and Jamin-Quinn Lee each created their own wildfire prevention signs; Zakahry is creating a “good versus bad defensible space” video; and Kawehi and Zariah teamed up to remove flammable plant debris from the Mala‘ai Culinary Garden.
The “action team” originally was inspired by a National Fire Protection Association national call to action for youths ages 13-22. Students from across the country were urged to implement their own wildfire prevention or preparedness project with the chance of being selected as a $500 TakeAction community service funding award recipient.
Kyren, whose family was directly affected by the Kawaihae fire and subsequent floods in August, was selected as one of 10 national recipients. Kyren made and installed a wildfire prevention sign at the edge of his home, which is visible from the busy road. It carries a message about preventing cigarette ignitions alongside the road.
Kyren said he will use the award money for future educational costs.
The Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization thanks the Youth Wildfire Prep Team members for their enthusiasm, hard work and overall commitment to helping protect their community from the growing threat of wildfire.
For more information about the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, email pablo@hawaiiwildfire.org or call 885-0900. Follow HWMO on Twitter and Instagram: @HawaiiWildfire or Facebook: HawaiiWildfire or visit hawaiiwildfire.org.
