Hawai‘i

Summary of Fire Past and Present

Wildfires in Hawaiʻi were once limited to those caused by active volcanic eruptions and infrequent dry lightning strikes. People first arrived to the islands between 1,000-4,000 years ago and, as everywhere else in the world, they brought change to the landscape. Nearly all fires in Hawaiʻi are human-caused and they often pose threats to communities and natural and cultural resources.

Having evolved in the absence of frequent fires, Hawaiʻi's native ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to fire disturbance, which is often associated with the spread and establishment of nonnative grass and shrub species. Over the past decade, Hawaiʻi has experienced an average of >1,000 ignitions burning >20,000 acres (8,000 ha) each year across the main inhabited islands.  Fire response agencies are able to contain 90% of wildfire ignitions to less than one acre in size, but large fires (>1000 acres) have occurred on all islands, and happen multiple times each year across the state.

Hawaiian Islands

Hawai`i Island: Leilani Fire, August 12, 2022

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…

Lahainaluna, Maui, Aug 2018 (Credit: Hank Oppenheimer)

Maui Nui (Maui, Moloka‘i, Lana‘i, Kaho‘olawe)

Maui Nui consists of four high islands–Maui, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, and Kahoʻolawe–and the small islet Molokini Crater. Each island has unique characteristics that affect their susceptibility to wildfires. The majority of wildfires across Maui Nui are caused by human error or arson, especially near developments, power line right of ways, and along roadsides. Maui Known as…

Makaha Valley, O`ahu, Aug 2018. (Credit: Clay Trauernicht)

O‘ahu

As the most populated island in Hawaiʻi, Oʻahu experiences a significantly higher number of wildfire ignitions than other islands. This elevated ignition rate, coupled with densely populated communities in close proximity to fire-prone shrublands and grasslands, presents a potentially hazardous situation for thousands of residents. Oahu Ignitions Heat Map (2000-2020) Wa`ahila Ridge, O`ahu, Sept 2020…

Limahuli Kaua`i, June 2019.  (Credit: Mike Walker, DLNR)

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…

Mapping Out the Past Century of Fire

Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and partners are tracking Hawai‘i records for ignitions, the extent and perimeters of areas burned. To access these data >> CLICK HERE

Hawai‘i Fire History and Agricultural Decline (Credit: Trauernicht & HWMO)
Hawai‘i State Fires 1999-2022

Colonization (18 C. to present) Radically Transforms the Landscape to Include Fire

Since the arrival of European and American settlers in the late 18th century, the cultural and economic landscape of Hawaiʻi has undergone rapid and profound transformations. These changes, accompanied by the replacement of native ecosystems with invasive weedy plants, particularly fire-prone grasses, and the introduction of non-native animals, have brought significant alterations to the environment and fire dynamics. >>READ MORE

Today's Fire Challenges in Hawaiʻi

As the human population in Hawaiʻi has risen, ignitions have followed. The vast majority of ignitions in Hawaiʻi are caused by humans while wildfires spread across the expanse of non-native vegetation accounting for c. 25% of Hawaiʻi's land area. >> READ MORE

Maps, Images, Factsheets & Plans

Statewide Wildfire Ignitions (2016)
Palehua, O`ahu, Aug 2014 (Credit: Clay Trauernicht)
Wildfire In Hawai‘i Fact Sheet
CWPP Cover Kauai 2016

Recent Resources For Hawai‘i

Presentation: Challenges to Rapid Wildfire Containment in Hawai‘i

January 18, 2024

Dr. Lisa Gollin is an applied anthropologist and social scientist who presented her findings from interviews she conducted as part of the project “Challenges to Rapid Wildfire Containment in Hawaii”.

Pacific Island Wildfire Data

November 21, 2023

Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and partners are tracking Hawai‘i records for ignitions, the extent and perimeters of areas burned.

Today’s Fire Challenges in Hawaiʻi

November 21, 2023

Since the arrival of European and American settlers in the late 18th century, the cultural and economic landscape of Hawaiʻi has undergone rapid and profound transformations.