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Committee forwards $68,000 FEMA hazard-mitigation planning grant for Kohala fuels-reduction project
Summary
The committee recommended forwarding a resolution and a companion budget bill to accept and appropriate $68,000 in hazard-mitigation funds for phase 1 planning of a Kohala wildfire fuels-reduction and defensible-space project. Fire Department staff said the money will fund planning, environmental reviews, mapping and contractor selection.
The Hawaii County Committee on Finance voted Jan. 6, 2026, to forward to the full council a resolution and a companion budget bill to accept and appropriate $68,000 from the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency for phase 1 planning of a community wildfire fuels reduction and defensible-space project in the Kohala region.
The resolution authorizes the mayor to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to receive hazard-mitigation funds. Fire Department staff described phase 1 as preparatory planning: delineating vegetative-removal areas, inventorying disposal and defensible-space locations, performing wildfire home-risk assessments, identifying equipment and crew needs, and ensuring compliance with environmental and historic-preservation requirements. "This is a fuel mitigation grant," the department said, adding that the county would accept funds and contract with an administrator to manage the grant and with contractors who perform the field work.
Staff described the project footprint as extending from Puako through North Kohala Ranch and including communities such as Kailapa, Kohala By The Sea, Kohala Estates, Kohala Waterfront and Wailea; the deputy estimated roughly 3,500 acres and about 480 single-family homes and 450 multiunit residences in the area.
Council members asked about subsequent phases and other funding. The department said additional FEMA mitigation awards and state grants may be pursued and that the planning phase will include public outreach and coordination with landowners; council raised the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) as a potential partner for parcels in the project area.
The committee voted to forward Resolution 426-25 and Bill 1-13 (the budget appropriation) to council with favorable recommendations; clerk recorded nine members in favor. Committee members tabled the item earlier to allow the fire department to be present for questions before resuming and forwarding the measures.
