This archive report was first published on 6 July 2021.
Published on July 6, 2021, a recent surge in wildfires across Hawaii has left residents and firefighters concerned about the growing threat.
The state's island chain in the Pacific, combined with the high cost of renting helicopters ($1,000 an hour or more), poses significant challenges for firefighters.
Kevin Kaneshiro, captain at the Honoka'a fire station, noted that the lack of access to mainland crews makes it difficult to respond to fires effectively.
'You have to make do with what you have,' Kaneshiro said.
Experts point to social issues, such as Hawaii's acute housing shortage, as a contributing factor to the spike in wildfire activity.
According to project leader Mr. Mora, many wildfires are triggered by homeless individuals who need to cook their own food, leading to accidental blazes.
'These people need to eat, they need to cook their own food, next thing you know a tiny accident triggers a blaze,' Mora said.
Residents in Pa'auilo remain on edge after a recent wildfire came close to their homes, with some areas still smoldering in late June.
As the community rebuilds, concerns about the risks of wildfires persist, particularly with the growth of guinea grass on land blackened by the fire.
