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HCR 140

URGING STATE AGENCIES THAT OWN OR CONTROL LAND IN WEST MAUI TO IMPLEMENT AND ENFORCE AGGRESSIVE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT, FUEL REDUCTION, DEFENSIBLE SPACE, AND EMERGENCY ACCESS MEASURES TO REDUCE WILDFIRE RISK TO LAHAINA AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terez Amato and 3 co-sponsors

Hawaii resolution urges state land agencies to aggressively manage vegetation and reduce wildfire fuel in West Maui to prevent future disasters like the 2023 Lahaina fires.

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 575).
#firehazardremoval #mauicounty #report #stateagencies
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Bill Summary · HCR 140

Legislative bill overview

HCR 140 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii state agencies that own or control land in West Maui to implement aggressive vegetation management, fuel reduction, defensible space creation, and improve emergency access routes. This follows the August 2023 Lahaina wildfires, which killed over 100 people and destroyed thousands of structures, making it one of Hawaii's deadliest disasters.

Why is this important

The Lahaina fires exposed critical vulnerabilities in wildfire preparedness and prevention infrastructure, particularly around overgrown vegetation that served as fuel for rapid fire spread. Implementing these measures could significantly reduce wildfire risk to populated areas and prevent future catastrophic losses of life and property in West Maui and similar communities.

Potential points of contention

  • Non-binding nature: As a resolution (HCR) rather than legislation, this lacks enforcement mechanisms and budget allocation—agencies may not prioritize implementation without mandatory requirements or funding
  • Resource and cost concerns: Aggressive vegetation management and fuel reduction are expensive; unclear who funds these efforts or how state agencies prioritize competing budget needs
  • Land access and private property: Effective wildfire prevention requires coordination across public and private lands; the resolution only addresses state-owned parcels, potentially limiting its effectiveness if private landowners don't participate
  • Environmental trade-offs: Aggressive vegetation removal and defensible space requirements can conflict with native habitat preservation and environmental conservation goals

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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