Haunting images of the deadly wildfires in August that displaced thousands on Maui and tragically devastated much of the Valley Isle鈥檚 historic town of Lahaina continue to send shockwaves across Hawaiʻi and the globe.

University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa wildfire expert Clay Trauernicht connects the unprecedented wildfires on Maui and parts of Hawaiʻi Island to an intense combination of factors such as powerful winds, extremely low humidity and underlying drought. However, Trauernicht, who is an extension specialist in ecosystem fire in the 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources , explains why the flammability of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 landscapes has drastically increased.

More on how to help Maui ʻohana and the Maui wildfires.

“Land that was once used for agriculture is now more commonly utilized for residential communities which elevates chances for wildfires. What happens is tropical grasses or shrubs from across the world that thrive in fires take over. Non-native grasses like guinea grass and haole koa significantly increase fire potential,” Trauernicht explained.

Severe winds brought on by a strong area of high pressure north of the state and Hurricane Dora passing far south of the islands, also prevented helicopters from conducting aerial water drops, which could have helped curb the spread of the fires, Trauernicht added.

Wildfire vulnerabilities

Wildland fire is a persistent and increasing threat across Hawaiʻi and inflicts significant burden on federal, state and county emergency management agencies. According to Trauernicht, the annual area burned has increased by 300% across all four counties of Hawaiʻi within the past several decades.

In 2020, Trauernicht joined fellow researchers from 糖心Vlog官方 M膩noa to form a working group that developed a high-resolution fire risk index for Hawaiʻi using spatial data on historical fire occurrence, climate, vegetation and the built environment. According to Trauernicht, Hawaiʻi鈥檚 leeward areas are especially vulnerable to wildfires where precipitation isn鈥檛 as prevalent.

• Related 糖心Vlog官方 News stories:
  糖心Vlog官方 team to develop wildfire risk system, September 22, 2020
  Hurricane Lane brought fire and rain to Hawaiʻi, July 22, 2020
  Pacific Islands wildfires highlight vulnerability to climate change and how to address it, August 23, 2021
  Study links climate change to increased risk of Hawaiʻi wildfires, December 18, 2018

He said reconfiguring elements of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 landscapes can decrease the vulnerability of wildfires.

“We can reduce the risk of wildfires on a larger scale by modifying vegetation and implementing animals for grazing wide areas,” Trauernicht said. “We can also modify irrigation, plant more trees and alter landscapes.”

• Message from 糖心Vlog官方 President David Lassner: Caring for our Maui colleagues, friends and family

• Donations for 糖心Vlog官方 Maui ʻohana:

The oldest Native Hawaiian-serving program at has helped hundreds of students succeed for almost three decades. Established in 1995, 鈥檚 goal is to prepare Native Hawaiian students for employment in high-skill, high-wage, in-demand careers in the CTE (career and technical education), and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) sectors of the local and global economy by providing vigorous and culturally appropriate opportunities for academic and professional success.

Poʻi Nā Nalu is helping Shadden Ogasawara-Tabelisma pursue his dream of becoming a firefighter. In the , Ogasawara-Tabelisma explains his emotional, personal reasons for his career choice.

Q: Tell us about yourself.

A: My name is Shadden Ogasawara-Tabelisma. I was born and raised on Oʻahu. My major is and my career goal is to become a firefighter.

I first wanted to pursue this dream when I was in my sophomore year of high school, when the most traumatic thing that has ever happened in my life happened. I was in class when all of a sudden my grandpa called me. I wasn’t going to answer but something told me I had to. I walked out of class and picked up the phone to something that will never leave my memories. I picked up the phone to my grandpa having a heart attack and a low blood sugar level of less than 40. I was losing my grandpa and there was nothing that I could do other than to listen to him suffer. I hung up the phone and dialed 9-1-1 and sent them to my house.

The firefighters arrived first. They made entry into my house and did their best to stabilize my grandpa until the paramedics arrived. Firefighters are always there when times are bad, and they always run into danger when others run away. As a firefighter, I don’t want to be looked at as a hero. I want to be looked at as someone who really cares for others and as someone who loves doing what they do best. By joining a job that is so mentally and physically challenging, I needed a “why.” That “why” is my grandpa, and I will do whatever I need to do to make him happy.

Q: What are your future plans?

A: My future plans are to apply for HFD, Federal Fire and [state airport firefighter crash and rescue unit]. I also wish to continue with my sports as I continue to represent Hawaiʻi in tennis and pickleball. In ten years, I see myself working for the Honolulu Fire Department.

Q: How has Poʻi Nā Nalu helped you through your academic journey at Honolulu CC?

A: Poʻi Nā Nalu has paid for my certifications and has let me borrow so many resources that helped me succeed in my college career. Over the past two years, I have grown so much as a person and I can’t thank everyone that has supported me enough. I am most thankful for my grandparents and Poʻi Nā Nalu for supporting me throughout my college journey.

Recent wildfires ravaging the West Coast highlight the importance of preparation and understanding the threat everywhere, including Hawaiʻi. A team at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa will work to improve assessment and communication of unique wildland fire risk the state faces.

The 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa (WRRC), the (College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources), and the (College of Engineering) secured nearly $1 million in funding for the project. The grant is from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through partnership and cooperation with the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) and 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa.

The project will develop a high-resolution fire risk index for Hawaiʻi using spatial data on historical fire occurrence, climate, vegetation and the built environment. The end-product will be a daily map of fire risk for the state published online that uses real-time climate products produced by WRRC and the 糖心Vlog官方-based ʻIke Wai program. This work will be led by Sayed Bateni (principal investigator), associate professor in civil and environmental engineering and WRRC, Clay Trauernicht (co-principal investigator), extension specialist in ecosystem fire in the , and Tom Giambelluca (co-principal investigator), director of WRRC.

“The incredible diversity of climate types and vegetation in Hawaiʻi means that the standard fire prediction tools used on the mainland simply don鈥檛 work for us. This effort will use climate products developed for Hawaiʻi and integrate local knowledge of forecasters and fire responders to validate and interpret the final product,” said Trauernicht.

Developing comprehensive fire-risk alert system

Beyond mapping daily fire risk, WRRC and 糖心Vlog官方 will work with the National Weather Service and federal, state and county emergency responders to integrate the maps into the current Red Flag Warning System and agency readiness plans. The only fire-risk alert system actively in place is the by the National Weather Service.

However, because the system is based on a single weather station, red flag warnings may not represent conditions across the state or a red flag may not be declared despite high risk conditions elsewhere. For example, no red flags were declared during any of the multiple, record-breaking large fires on Maui in 2019 due to different rainfall patterns over Honolulu. The project will also use the fire-risk index to examine the historical frequency of fire-risk conditions across the state and work with the non-profit to educate land managers, planners and the general public about how the products can inform proactive risk reduction efforts.

“As our constant brush fires present new challenges to us during both hurricane season and a pandemic, HI-EMA鈥檚 hazard mitigation program grant program is critical in getting the proper funding to battle these threats,” said HI-EMA Administrator Luke Meyers.

Fires cost in land skyrockets over years

Wildland fire is a persistent and increasing threat across Hawaiʻi and places significant burden on federal, state and county emergency management agencies. The annual area burned has increased by 300% across all four counties of Hawaiʻi within the past several decades, such that fires often burn a greater proportion of Hawaiʻi land area than many states in the Western U.S. Fire-risk warning is especially critical in Hawaiʻi both due to the vulnerability of populated areas and natural resources to fire impacts and because the majority of wildland fire ignitions are caused accidentally by people.

has enhanced its Fire Science program by adding an emergency medical technician (EMT) course to the curriculum, making the program more valuable for students and employers.

“By earning their national registry EMT certification, along with their associate of science degree, students will greatly enhance their employment opportunities with fire service agencies,” said Jack Minassian, assistant professor of fire science. “It’s one more added benefit when they apply for a job, and it’s a big one.”

The EMT courses, taught by instructors David Mendonsa and Daina Leslie Dietz, were added to the Fire Science program thanks to a collaboration with .

Established in 2005, the Fire Science program has become one of the most popular academic programs at Hawaiʻi CC, with 98 students currently enrolled.

In five semesters, students can earn an associate of science degree. Hawaiʻi CC fire science graduates have found employment with federal, state and local fire service agencies.

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—By Thatcher Moats

will begin delivering its at the campus in Kona starting fall 2017.

Hawaiʻi CC began offering an associate of science in fire science in Hilo in 2005. It has become one of the most popular academic programs with 110 fire science majors currently enrolled.

“Our graduates have found employment with local, state and federal agencies, including the Hawaiʻi Fire Department, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Pohakuloa Training Area and federal agencies on the mainland,” said Jack Minassian, assistant professor of fire science and the fire science program coordinator. “Numerous county fire personnel have also attended the program to further their education.”

“We are excited to be bringing the fire science program to the Pālamanui campus,” said Marty Fletcher, director of Hawaiʻi CC–Pālamanui. “This will make it more convenient for West Hawaiʻi residents to earn a degree and pursue a career in the fire service.”

Fire science students can earn an associate of science degree and/or a certificate of achievement. The deadline to apply for fall 2017 is August 1, and classes start August 21.

For more information on the fire science program, read the . Prospective students can also contact the Hawaiʻi CC–Pālamanui Office of Student Services at (808) 969-8816 or contact Minassian by email.

—By Thatcher Moats

Two big donations from the (HFD) are creating hands-on learning opportunities for future firefighters at and .

Both campuses have received retired fire trucks from HFD. The donations also included other firefighting equipment, such as ladders, nozzles, adapters, lights, axes and chain saws.

Honolulu Community College student Sydney Price said, “I think it’s awesome because even for other classes we haven’t had the correct equipment all the time, so sometimes doing skills is a little more difficult, but this is definitely going to be a big help.”

Honolulu CC’s fire truck will be used by fire science students to practice deploying hose lines for water supply and fire attacks. The truck will also transport student firefighters and their equipment to practice search and rescue operations. Fire science is among the most popular majors at both campuses. Honolulu CC averages about 200 students a year and there are more than a hundred current majors at Hawaiʻi CC.

“They clean together, they cook together, they have to do their job together and I just learned it’s one big family,” said Honolulu Community College student Stephen Taheny. “That’s what I really liked about it. Also the topic of firefighting that’s cool itself. That is a big plus.”

Incumbent firefighters have also been educated at 糖心Vlog官方. Honolulu Fire Department Chief Manuel Neves received his fire science degree from Honolulu CC in 1984.

“So you can see where this program can lead to a position as a fire chief of the Honolulu Fire Department, the 16^th largest fire department in the country,” Neves said. “So possibly in this group that we see here, the next fire chief or the future fire chief may be standing with their hands at ease right now.”

The donated fire trucks are also helping more than one program. Diesel mechanics students at both campuses will provide upkeep and maintenance of the vehicles to ensure the education of the state’s future firefighters.

For more about the programs go to:

Sixteen fire science students performed vehicle extrication training as part of their firefighter certification coursework on February 28. The skills portion of the training involved sizing up the accident scene upon arrival, preventing horizontal movement of a vehicle using wheel chocks, stabilizing the vehicle, removing windshields and tempered glass side windows, roof and dashboard to gain access and freeing trapped accident victims.

The students also received instruction in various types of and uses of rescue tools, the maintenance of electrical generators and lighting equipment and the firefighter’s role during vehicle extrication and rescue.

“The students enjoyed the opportunity to physically utilize coursework information gained via online, videos and in classroom lectures especially in the breaking of windows, hammering with axes and tearing of metal,” shares Honolulu CC Instructor, Richard Rhode. “This simulation is a valuable experience for these aspiring firefighters.”

“We are grateful for our partnership with the college’s who donated the automobiles and parking lot so the training could be completed to standards.”

The is designed to prepare students academically for the fire service field, which includes insurance adjuster, investigator and safety and building inspector. Honolulu Community College is the only college level fire training program on Oʻahu.

More photos from the auto extrication exercise

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—By Billie Lueder

The University of Hawaiʻi celebrates spring commencement systemwide.

Wednesday, May 1

糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa Convocation
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Campus Center Ballroom, 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa

Friday, May 3

糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Wist Hall 234, 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa campus, or at the Diamond Head Amphitheatre in the College of Education

Saturday, May 4

Time: 10 a.m.
Location: The Great Lawn

Thursday, May 9

糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Hawaiʻi Convention Center, Liliʻu Theater

Friday, May 10

Honolulu CC’s
Time: 12 p.m.
Location: Norman W.H. Loui Conference Center, Honolulu CC

糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Andrews Outdoor Amphitheater, 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa campus

糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa Recognition Ceremony
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Hawaiʻi Convention Center Ballrooms

糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Kennedy Theatre, 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa campus

Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Tuthill Courtyard, Leeward CC campus

Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Waikīkī Shell

Time: 6 p.m.
Location: The Great Lawn, Kapiʻolani CC campus

Time: 6:15 p.m.
Location: Vidinha Stadium, 尝墨丑耻ʻ别

Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Edith Kanakaʻole Multi-Purpose Stadium

Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Maui Beach Hotel, Elleair Ballroom

Saturday, May 11

Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Edith Kanakaʻole Multi-Purpose Stadium

Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Stan Sheriff Center, 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa campus

Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Palikū Theatre, Windward CC campus

Time: 3 p.m.
Location: Stan Sheriff Center, 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa campus

Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Hilton Waikoloa Village, Kohala Ballroom

Sunday, May 12

糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa Convocation Ceremony
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Kennedy Theatre, 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa campus

University of Hawaiʻi
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Maui Arts and Cultural Center, Castle Theatre

糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Location: Andrews Outdoor Theatre, 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa campus

Monday, May 13

Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: Kennedy Theatre, 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa campus

is celebrating the success of 21 new, fully-trained and certified level 1 firefighters who graduate on May 4 from the college’s .

A special ceremony will be held for the 21 trainees who completed their capstone Firefighter-1 course in their final semester, a 16-credit course with two components that consist of an online virtual classroom experience to develop cognitive knowledge and competency-based skills training and testing to National Fire Protection Association standards.

The Honolulu campus is the first community college in the University of Hawaiʻi System to offer an associate in applied science degree in fire science.

The FIRE Program provides students with entry level skills or in-service professional development preparing students for jobs in the fire service field, such as fire inspector, fire investigator, insurance adjuster and safety and building inspector. They learn to function as integral members of a firefighting team, and earn certificates in CPR, emergency medical service-first responder or EMT-basic, hazardous materials awareness and operations and rirefighter-1.

“As a former federal fire trainer, it was apparent that FIRE recruits from Honolulu Community College had the foundational skills and theory for the job that others didn’t have making them more competitive and better qualified to be successful firefighters on the job,” shared Chief Richard (Scotty) Rhode, lead Honolulu CC FIRE instructor.

Many of the recruits have applied to fire service organizations, both locally and nationally.

Successful graduates from the Honolulu Community College FIRE Program include Rhode, who is a fire chief at Sasebo Navy Base in Japan, Honolulu Fire Department Chief Kenneth Silva, Federal Fire Department Hawaiʻi Chief Glenn deLaura and retired Honolulu Fire Department Chief Attilio Leonardi.

Update on May 7, 2012&#8212Photos from the event are on .