Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization
Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to protecting communities and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire.
Who We Are
HWMO is comprised of organizations and individuals concerned with wildfire safety.
What We Do
- Collaborative wildfire preparedness planning
- Fuels management projects
- Educational activities related to wildfire
- Projects to re-establish native plants that are more fire tolerant
- Research and technical support, including GIS analysis and mapping
The challenge
Hawaii's ecosystems are not adapted to fire. Wildfires:
- Threaten homes and lives
- Destroy native Hawaiian plants and forests
- Deprive native animals of their habitat
- Cause soil erosion that pollutes run off that impacts the ocean and reefs
- Increase the spread of invasive plants that are highly flammable
Wildfire and Fuel Loading Cycle
Alien grasses are fire adapted and are why fire starts develop into devastating wildfires. The dry, dense biomass of grass is an easily combustible fuel that carries fire quickly over large area, particularly during windy conditions. As wildfires wipe out more native habitat, grasses invade these areas and the wildfire cycle continues.
Hawaii Island's dryland forests are the most endangered in the world. Sixty-five (65%) percent of these dryland forests have been lost, primarily due to wildfire.
Contact us:
Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization
Holomua Center Ste. C-4, 64-1067 Mamalahoa Hwy.
Kamuela, HI 96743 Tel: (808) 885-0900 Fax: (808) 885-0922