Pact between Electric Hawaian, non -profit helps to extend the prevention of wild fires News, sports, jobs

Hawaiian Electric was associated with the Fire Management Organization in Hawaii to help finance the positions of non -profit Firewise coordinator that helps communities in the whole state reduce the fire risk.

According to a press release, the first $ 50,000 in a commitment of $ 260,000 was recently paid for HWMO, a non -profit based on the island of Hawaii, who is now supervising 31 Firewise communities in three counties.

HWMO administers the Firewise US -level Firewise program locally, which offers a framework to help communities organize and take measures to increase the ignition resistance of their homes and to address the risks of wild fire.

“Our support for the Fire Management Organization in Hawaii is a valuable investment in strengthening the community resistance on the five islands that Electric Hawaiian serves,” said Kurt Tsue, the electric director of the community business in Hawaii, in the statement. “Being behind the efforts to mitigate the fire, led by the HWMO community, is essential, because we work in parallel to update our infrastructure to reduce the ignition risk and protect our customers and communities.”

HWMO recently hosted the fire summit in Hawaii from Kona, where over 260 participants learned about the efforts to prevent wild fire, collaborated with community experts and leaders and planned actionable projects to build community resistance. Hawaiian Electric was a sponsor of the event.

Nani Barretto, the co-executive director of HWMO, said he initially lasted 10 years at 15 Firewise communities. “Within 10 months from the wild fires in Maui, I went out 15”, “ Barretto said.

“Starting last week, we have 31 websites recognized at national level in three counties and another 13 in the process”, “ She said, noting the Hwmo Hwmo Hwmo funds fulfills her mission.

Financing comes as HWMo federal subsidies end, Barretto said, adding Hawaian and other local sources complete the goal.

The coordinators of the Firewise program help communities to think about what projects will reduce the risk, provide technical assistance and bring together communities to share resources, among other responsibilities, Barretto said.

Shelly Aina, from Waikōloa Village Association Firewise Committee, who maintained the 2016 Firewise designation, said the financing that local entities offers HWMO is invaluable. “The more they have, the more we have,” the more we have “ Said Aina.

“I did a big fuel attenuation project”, “ Aina said, adding HWMO was essential to help the committee come with a plan to eliminate a fuel break last year.

“Everything returns to Hwmo,” “ Aina said about the successes of the Firewise Committee.