Committee backs $33,200 Fire Department grant to fund community fuels reduction

The Committee on Finance voted July 23 to forward Resolution 559‑24, which authorizes the Hawaii Fire Department to award a $33,200 grant to the Hawaii Wildlife Management Organization for phase 1 of a community fuels‑reduction and defensible‑space project.

Chief Todd of the Hawaii Fire Department told the committee the grant stems from prior federal disaster assistance (FMAG/HMGP) related to the Mana Road fire and that HMGP mitigation funds will be used to hire crews to limb trees, reduce brush and perform other fuel‑reduction work. He said the county typically partners with nonprofit groups to manage grant applications and project selection and that HWMO will serve as the grant manager and subcontract to local crews. "The money is sort of a pass‑through for getting work done," the chief said.

Council members asked whether the funds are county general funds or federal. Corporation Counsel Elizabeth Strand said she had not yet evaluated the resolution in depth and asked for clarification because the county code provisions the clerk cited refer to general‑fund uses; Chief Todd confirmed the funds are federal. Council members asked corporation counsel to review the resolution’s language and return before the next reading to ensure compliance with county grant procedures.

A motion to forward Resolution 559‑24 to council with a favorable recommendation carried with nine members in favor. The committee requested that corporation counsel and the department ensure the resolution's draft language reflects the correct funding source and conforms to county code requirements ahead of council consideration.