Kauaʻi Agencies Cooperate to Keep Residents Safe from Wildfires

By Mike Yamane, Board of Directors 

KIUC takes the threat of wildfire seriously. In 2025, the County of Kauaʻi responded to more than 300 brushfires.  

KIUC submitted a comprehensive Wildfire Mitigation Plan to the Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission and works closely with the County of Kauaʻi and State of Hawaiʻi on education and outreach efforts. KIUC is an active part of Wildfire Protection Plan meetings, Brushfire Stakeholders Group and Emergency Operations Center.  

Members must take an active role in wildfire safety. You can help protect your loved ones and your property by following these tips: 

1. Create defensible space. 

   Create a buffer zone by removing weeds, brush and other vegetation to keep fire away from your home and reduce the risk of flying embers. 

2. Harden your home.  

   Use fire-resistant materials for roofs, decks, fencing, etc., to protect your home from fire damage. 

3. Be prepared  to evacuate. 

   Make an emergency evacuation plan for your family and animals ahead of time. Stay informed, and have a go-kit ready.  

4. Secure medical device power backup. 

   If you use medical equipment dependent on electricity, check KIUC’s eligibility requirements for a medical device power backup rebate at kiuc.coop/medical-device-power-backup. 

According to Kaua‘i Fire Chief Michael Gibson, homeowners who follow these tips can increase their chances of protecting their families and homes in the event of wildfire.  

“We want the community to understand that even a single home taking these steps can have a meaningful impact on an entire neighborhood,” he says. 

Kaua'i is fortunate to have many qualified and caring professionals working together to make our community resilient and safe in the event of wildfire. 

You Can Protect Your Community!  

 See these local resources for more information on how to protect your home and family from wildfire: 

• Ready, Set, GO! Find a personal action guide to prepare for wildfire: hwmo.org/ready-set-go  
• Become a Firewise Community: hwmo.org/firewise-program or email firewise@hawaiiwildfire.org  
• This Fire Resilient Planting Guide was developed specifically for West Maui, but the principles it describes apply in many places across the state: surfrider.org/news/re-planting-after-fire-a-fire-resilient-landscape-guide-for-lahaina-west-maui  
• Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization website: hawaiiwildfire.org 
• Kauaʻi Fire Department Website: kauai.gov/Government/Departments-Agencies/Fire-Department 
• Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency: kauai.gov/Government/Departments-Agencies/Emergency-Management-Agency