The Firewise USA® site program helps communities adapt to living with wildfire and encourages neighbors to work together and take action now to prevent losses.

In Hawai'i, 24 communities have currently joined the nationwide network of more than 1,500 recognized Firewise USA® sites, taking action and ownership in preparing and protecting their homes against the threat of wildfire.

HWMO supports Firewise communities across the state in partnership with our State Division of Forestry & Wildlife (DLNR/DOFAW). Participation in the program is spearheaded by driven and motivated community members to lead their communities to wildfire preparedness. To learn more or to start the process for your community, please email us at firewise@hawaiiwildfire.org.

The benefits of becoming a recognized Firewise USA® site:

Increase wildfire safety and resiliency
Unite together as a community
Build new partnerships
Gain greater access to federal grant funding for projects
Be a part of a growing movement in Hawai'i and across the nation
Have lots of fun!

Download the brochure

From 2004 to 2014, Kohala-by-the-Sea was the only Firewise Community in the state. In July 2015, HWMO began working with communities statewide to help them achieve Firewise Community Recognition.

The recognition program is part of a nationwide effort of over 1,500 neighborhoods (and counting) working towards a common goal: protecting the community from wildfire. Since 2015, HWMO and DLNR/DOFAW have assisted 24 communities on Hawai'i Island, Maui, Moloka'i, and O'ahu to help them achieve national Firewise Communities recognition.

Our proud members of the Firewise movement:

Maui

Waiohuli (est. 2016)
Kahikinui (est. 2016)
Launiupoko (est. 2016)
Lanikeha Home Owners (est. 2024)
Vintage Kāʻanapali (est. 2024)
Islands and Bluffs (est. 2024)

Molokaʻi 

Paniolo Hale (est. 2019)

Oʻahu

Kamilonui Valley/Mariner’s Cove (est. 2018)

Hawaiʻi Island

Kohala by the Sea (est. 2004)
Kanehoa Subdivision (est. 2015)
Waikōloa Village (est. 2016)
Waialea (est. 2016)
Kailapa (est. 2016)
Kohala Waterfront (est. 2017)
Waikiʻi Ranch (est. 2017)
Puʻukapu Pastoral (est. 2018)
Puʻuanahulu (est. 2020)
Kohala Ranch (est. 2023)
Waiʻulaʻula at Mauna Kea Resort (est. 2023)
Kamuela View Estates (est. 2023)
Anekona Estates (est. 2024)
Kawaihae Village (est. 2024)
Holo Holo Ku @ Parker Ranch (est. 2024)
Kona Paradise (est. 2024)

Neighborhoods in process of earning national Firewise recognition:

Hawaiʻi Island

Keauhou (started process 2024)
Puakea Bay Ranch (started process 2024)
Kawaihae Village (started process 2024)
Kohala Estates (started process 2024)
Puako (regaining recognition, est. 2016)

Maui

Kāʻanapali Coffee Farms (started process 2024)
Kula Meadows (started process 2024)

Oʻahu

Waialae Iki V (started process 2023)
Waialae Iki Ridge (started process 2024)
Queen's Gate II (started process 2024)
Lanikai Neighborhood Community "LNC" (started process 2024)

The 2024 Firewise Funds Application process (to host a wildfire mitigation project or outreach event for summer 2024) is now closed, as all current funds have been exhausted. For active Firewise USA® sites in Hawai'i, who wish to apply for grant awards to support wildfire risk reduction projects, please stay tuned for new funding opportunities. Mahalo for all of your efforts!

View Mitigation Projects Completed by Hawaiʻi Firewise Sites