Hawai‘i Island
Hawaiʻi Island is unique in that it is the only Hawaiian island with ongoing active volcanic eruptions. However, humans are still by far the leading cause of wildfire ignitions. The majority of wildfires on Hawaiʻi Island are caused by human error or arson, especially near developments, power line right of ways, and along roadsides.
Fire Today
Rainfall follows the typical pattern of the Hawaiian Islands, with more rain along the eastern windward coast. Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa create a rain shadow that results in drier conditions on the western leeward coasts. Most of the former sugar plantation lands are on the wetter windward side of the island, along the Hāmākua Coast. Despite this location, there is a long history of fires in the area. It was the large 1901 Hāmākua coast fire that was the impetus for keeping wildfire records in Hawaiʻi. >> READ MORE
On the leeward side, the Kohala area is particularly fire-prone. This drier region with large areas of fallow pasture and agricultural land has a high rate of ignitions vis-a-vis human infrastructure, as well as more regular large fires.
Fires > 50 Acres 1999-2018, Hawai‘i Island (Credit: UH Wildland Fire)
The growing footprint of these grass-dominated fallow agricultural lands combined with increasing human population increases the risk of wildfire across the island. The hazardous vegetation and high number of ignitions is exacerbated by climate change creating more frequent drought conditions.
Seasonal variation in rainfall also affects both ignitions and the extent of areas which burn. Particularly wet periods over a rainy season can, counterintuitively, significantly elevate hazard levels. Increased precipitation may lead to a surplus of vegetation growth, becoming potential fuel during subsequent drier periods, thereby elevating the risk of large wildfires. Given the changing wind and rainfall patterns arising from climate change, this may lead to increased risk.
Hawai‘i Island Average Acres and Ignitions (2012-2020)
Plans & Images
Leilani Fire, August 12, 2022 (Credit: Hawai‘i DLNR)
Recent Resources For Hawai‘i
A research brief summarizing the results of an experiment to determine how ecological restoration with native Hawaiian species in Waianae Kai Forest Reserve on O`ahu can modify potential fire behavior.
Tamara Ticktin (Professor of Botany, University of Hawai‘i), Amy Tsuneyoshi (Watershed Resources Specialist, Honolulu Board of Water Supply), and Clay Trauernicht (Wildfire and Ecosystems, University of Hawai‘i) present on post-fire…
A matter of perspective: Examining wildfire in the big picture and close-up As we write this, Hawaii is shifting into its ‘winter season’ but despite ample rain in windward areas,…