LANDMARK MEASURE STRENGTHENS WILDFIRE RESILIENCE ON KAUA‘I

Published on October 22, 2025

LĪHU‘E – When Kaua‘i Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami signed Bill 2961 into law last month, it became Hawai‘i’s first ordinance to incorporate Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) safety standards directly into zoning and permitting for Kaua‘i’s plantation-camp districts.

The landmark measure aims to strengthen wildfire resilience across rural neighborhoods, helping people better protect their homes, families, and communities from growing fire risks.

A video produced by Kaua‘i County highlights how the ordinance turns wildfire prevention into everyday practice.

• Home hardening requirements to mitigate ember intrusion
• Incorporating a five-foot noncombustible zone around homes
• Defensible space up to 30 feet around homes
• Maintaining low vegetation out to 100 feet

It also highlights active partnerships between the County of Kaua‘i, the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO), and Headwaters Economics, the County’s commitment to education-first enforcement, and the shared goal of protecting lives, homes, and cultural landscapes across Kaua‘i.

HWMO Co-executive Director Elizabeth Pickett said, “This truly is a landmark for wildfire safety in Hawai‘i. Kaua‘i’s commitment and the strong partnerships behind this effort reflect a deep sense of kuleana — a shared responsibility to protect our people and places from wildfire. We hope this serves as a model for building safer, more resilient communities across Kaua‘i and throughout the state."

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