HDOT continues collaborations to address wildfire risk statewide

STATE OF HAWAIʻI

KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

JOSH GREEN, M.D.

GOVERNOR

KE KIAʻĀINA

HAWAIʻI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

KA ʻOIHANA ALAKAU

ED SNIFFEN

DIRECTOR

KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

HDOT CONTINUES COLLABORATIONS TO ADDRESS WILDFIRE RISK STATEWIDE

Planting of native species on the slopes above Waimea Bay, Oʻahu.

Before and after of the fire break HDOT cut on the City and County of Honolulu wildland in Kapolei.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 18, 2026

26-0273

HONOLULU – As the kau wela or hot season continues the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) is outlining its actions to address wildfire risk statewide. HDOT’s wildfire efforts are heavily focused on vegetation management based on priorities received from county fire departments and creation/maintenance of evacuation routes in vulnerable communities.

Vegetation Management – Since 2023, HDOT has been collaborating with county fire departments to remove vegetation in areas with high risk for wildfire ignition.

In Fiscal Year 2026, HDOT crews and contractors cut vegetation in the areas below.

• Royal Kunia along Kunia Road and along Anonui and Anoiki Streets
• Alongside Koʻoloaʻula Townhomes by Kroc Center
• Along the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Pacific Tsunami Center
• Makakilo Gulch
• Behind Kroc Center
• City and County of Honolulu property along Kapolei Parkway
• Vegetated area between Komohana Place and Malakole Street
• Access Road within Varona Village
• Along 87-842 Farrington Highway in Māʻili

Areas identified by fire departments to be addressed:

O‘ahu

• Ikuone Place and Manuku Street to Farrington Highway
• Mākaha Valley Plantation/Oceanview Estates
• Mākaha Valley Road
• Kea‘au Beach Park
• Honokai Hale
• Pikaiolena Street by Black Rock
• Oheohe Street, Sea Country
• Fort Barrett Road
• Kalo‘i Gulch
• Komohana Place/Malakole Street
• Whitmore Village
• Walkerville in Kahuku
• Hanaloa and Ka‘uiki Streets
• Pokapahu Pl., Poka St., Pana Pl., Paikau St., Makalike Pl., Poka Pl.
• Kunia Road – gulch areas
• Lumipolu Street
• Viewpointe townhomes in Waikele

Maui

• Pi‘ilani Highway from North Kῑhei Road to Wailea Ike Drive
• Additional areas in Lahaina and Upcountry to be determined

Hawai‘i (Big Island)

• Alahaki Road
• Discovery Harbour
• Nā‘ālehu Town
• Kaʻū Baseyard
• Kawaihae Village
• Old Puakō Road
• Pa‘auilo Makai

Native Plantings – According to the National Weather Service, non-native grasses and shrubs cover only 26% of Hawai‘i, but account for 75% of the area burned annually.

HDOT has an annual goal of 1,000 native plantings per year. To date in 2026, we’ve planted over 1,756 native plants, not including 12,375 ʻĀnapanapa, ʻIlima papa, Milo, ʻIlieʻe, Pōhinahina, Pili grass, Ahuʻawa, ʻAuhuhu, Mauʻu and ʻAkiʻaki planted on the slopes above Waimea Bay. A running total of HDOT’s native plantings is online at https://highways.hidot.hawaii.gov/stories/s/Native-Species-Public-Page/w327-azg3

Fire Fighting Mutual Aid – Under the Federal Aviation Administration’s 139.325 Airport Emergency Plan, HDOT Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighters have mutual aid agreements with county fire departments and actively reach out to dispatch to check if assistance is needed during fires.

Evacuation Routes –

As HDOT continues its efforts to reduce fire risk to communities across the state, we encourage everyone to learn about wildfires and make emergency plans in the event of a fire in their area by visiting https://www.hwmo.org/lookout

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