Kaua‘i

Near the geographic center of Kauaʻi is one of the wettest known places on earth, Mount Waiʻaleʻale. Despite this, wildfires can and do occur on the island. Steep slopes, rough terrain, difficult access, a large percentage of highly ignitable invasive grasses, and numerous threatened and endangered native species characterize the Kauaʻi landscape. 

Ignitions occur regularly in the inhabited areas of the island, mostly near the coasts, where the landscape is dominated by current and former agricultural lands as well as grass and brush.

Fires > 50 Acres 1999-2018, Kaua`i (Credit: UH Wildland Fire)

Kauaʻi is among the oldest high Hawaiian Islands and has been shaped by significant erosion, creating its dramatic landscape of valleys. Some of the steepest and least accessible areas include the North Shore to the West side, which also correspond strongly with the highest concentration of threatened and endangered species. This creates a challenging environment for reaching and containing fires when they occur, and presents a risk to the resident endangered species. >> READ MORE

 

After fires burn through an area of native vegetation in Hawaiʻi, the rebounding vegetation is generally dominated by fast growing non-native grasses and shrubs. Not only does this negatively impact biodiversity, but this can also contribute to erosion and the risk of landslides especially on the steep slopes of Kauaʻi. 

 

The biggest large fires have historically occurred on the lee slope of the eastern flank of Waimea valley. This presents a concerning fire risk for the drought-prone community of Kekaha. 

Kauaʻi is known for its high rainfall, but annual rainfall is not always a good indicator for risk. 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 for Kauaʻi.

Kauai Ignitions and Acres Burned (2012-2020)

Plans & Images

Pu`u Kapele, Kaua`i, Feb 2014 Sida Fallax Regeneration After Fire (Credit: JB Friday)

Recent Resources For Hawai‘i

Research Brief: Measuring Recovery 25 Years After Fire

October 14, 2019

A look at the resiliency of a Hawaiian woodland forest within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park 25 years after fire.

Webinar: Fire and Erosion

September 24, 2019

The Pacific Fire Exchange hosted a webinar with Clay Trauernicht (University of Hawai‘i), Willie Rice (Forest Solutions, Inc.) and Jack Minassian (University of Hawai‘i) on the topic of fire and erosion.

2018 Wildfires in Hawaii – PFX Annual Summary

August 19, 2019

Every wildfire incident is part of a larger pattern of wildfire occurrence and is an opportunity to gain experience and insight for wildfire management.