Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

Hawaii House Bill HR15

Introduced

2/18/25

Refer

3/14/25

Caption

Urging The Department Of Land And Natural Resources And City And County Of Honolulu To Implement Green Fire Breaks In West Oahu To Mitigate The Risk Of Wildfires.

Impact

The implementation of this resolution is intended to create buffer zones that slow the spread of wildfires, providing critical time for emergency responders and residents to react appropriately during hazardous conditions. Given that West Oahu is particularly vulnerable due to its dry climate, urban developments, and other geographic factors, the resolution calls for immediate action to adopt ecological strategies that can effectively counter these threats. The proposed green fire breaks aim to bolster regional wildfire preparedness and response efforts.

Summary

House Resolution 15 (HR15) urges the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the City and County of Honolulu to implement green fire breaks in West Oahu as a measure to mitigate the risk of wildfires. The resolution highlights the increasing fire risks posed by non-native grasses and shrubs, which are highly flammable and exacerbate wildfire conditions. The initiative aims to promote the use of native plants that have greater moisture content and lower burn rates, which can be beneficial in reducing fire hazards and enhancing community resilience in emergencies.

Contention

The resolution underscores the importance of consultation with the State Fire Council in the planning and execution of the green fire breaks. This consultation is crucial to ensure the best practices are employed when using fire-resistant vegetation for the fire breaks, which is essential for effective wildfire management. While the resolution reflects a proactive approach to combating wildfires, there could be discussions on the feasibility, funding, and community support for implementing such ecological interventions in a region with diverse interests and priorities.

Companion Bills

HI HCR15

Same As Urging The Department Of Land And Natural Resources And City And County Of Honolulu To Implement Green Fire Breaks In West Oahu To Mitigate The Risk Of Wildfires.

Previously Filed As

HI SCR92

Requesting The Department Of Agriculture, Department Of Land And Natural Resources, Department Of Health, And The City And County Of Honolulu, To Create A Working Group To Identify Solutions To Mitigate And Control The Significant Increase In The Population Of Feral Chickens And Roosters Across The Island Of Oahu.

HI SR85

Requesting The Department Of Agriculture, Department Of Land And Natural Resources, Department Of Health, The City And County Of Honolulu, And The County Of Hawaii, To Collaborate To Establish And Implement A Five-year Pilot Program To Mitigate And Control The Significant Increase In The Population Of Feral Chickens, Roosters, And Pigs.

HI SCR168

Urging The Department Of Natural Resources To Work With The Department Of Customer Services Of The City And County Of Honolulu To Appropriately Manage Feral Cat Concerns.

HI HCR19

Urging The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Work With The United States Fish And Wildlife Service To Implement A Native Plant Seeding Project In Mililani Mauka To Restore The Ecological Damage From The November 2023 Wildfires.

HI HR9

HI SR142