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HCR 15

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.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Julie Reyes Oda

Resolution urges Hawaii agencies to establish vegetation-based fire barriers in West Oahu to reduce wildfire risk while maintaining ecological integrity.

Referred to WAL, referral sheet 22
#emergencypreparedness #greenfirebreaks #westoahu #wildfireprevention
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Bill Summary · HCR 15

Legislative bill overview

HCR 15 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources and the City and County of Honolulu to establish "green fire breaks" in West Oahu as a wildfire prevention measure. Green fire breaks typically involve strategically thinned vegetation, fuel reduction, and planted barriers designed to slow or stop wildfire spread while maintaining ecological value, unlike traditional barren firebreaks.

Why is this important

West Oahu has experienced destructive wildfires in recent years, with the 2023 Maui fires serving as a stark reminder of Hawaii's wildfire vulnerability. Implementing green fire breaks could reduce catastrophic fire risk while preserving native ecosystems and watershed functions—addressing both immediate safety concerns and long-term land management goals in an increasingly drought-prone region.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs and funding: Green fire breaks require ongoing maintenance and vegetation management; the resolution does not specify budget allocation or funding sources, potentially creating unfunded mandates
  • Land access and jurisdiction: Coordination between state and county agencies across multiple private and public properties in West Oahu may prove complex; unclear who bears responsibility for implementation and maintenance
  • Definition and effectiveness ambiguity: "Green fire breaks" lacks standardized definition in Hawaiian law; scientific efficacy for the region's specific terrain and conditions remains an open question requiring feasibility studies

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

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