Federal funds authorized to assist in Kawaihae Road Fire
The blaze was brought under control by Hawai‘i County firefighters on Sunday afternoon.
7 hours ago
The Federal Emergency Management Agency authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state in combating the Kawaihae Road Fire burning in Hawai’i County.
On Sunday, the State of Hawai‘i submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant for the blaze that erupted in South Kohala on July 25, according to a news release from FEMA. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening approximately 253 homes in and around Kawaihae and Spencer Beach Park.
Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda doesn’t know what the amount of the grant will be for at this time.
“By approving it, they (FEMA) confirmed that there is money available to us,” the mayor said. “How much we get depends on us meeting certain criteria and reporting guidelines.”
Approximately 700 acres were burned. No properties were damaged. As of Monday afternoon, Alameda said Hawai‘i County firefighters were still on scene putting out hot spots.
About 800 people were evacuated from the Kawaihae Village subdivision as well as campers from the beach park. The blaze, which was burning on the south side of Kawaihae Road, was brought under control by Hawai‘i County Firefighters on Sunday afternoon and the evacuation order was lifted.
Alameda said the Hawai‘i National Guard provided aerial support, doing water drops with its Black Hawk helicopter.
The grant will provide federal funding for up to 75% of eligible firefighting costs, which include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization, and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire, the release from FEMA states.
Alameda said this is the first Fire Management Assistance Grant he’s been a part of in a meaningful way.
He said the grant will cover fire-related costs for the county as well as possibly other departments that assisted with the blaze like the Department of Public Works and the Department of Water Supply.
Alameda doesn’t know how much money has been spent battling the blaze as crews are still fighting it.
