SENATOR CHANG CO-SPONSORS WILDFIRE SAFETY AND PREVENTION WORKSHOP
WHO: Sen. Stanley Chang, Sen. Laura Thielen, Rep. Gene Ward, City Councilman Trevor Ozawa, representative from Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO)
WHAT: Community workshop to share wildfire mitigation and safety tips and develop action plans
WHERE: Kamiloiki Elementary School
7788 Hawai‘i Kai Drive
WHEN: Monday, June 5, 2017
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Senator Stanley Chang (Senate Dist. 9 - Hawai‘i Kai, Kuli‘ou‘ou, Niu, ‘Aina Haina, Wai‘alae-
Kahala, Diamond Head), Senator Laura Thielen (Senate Dist. 25 - Kailua, Lanikai, Enchanted Lake, Keolu Hills, Maunawili, Waimanalo, Hawai‘i Kai, Portlock), Representative Gene Ward (House Dist. 17 - Hawai‘i Kai, Kalama Valley), and City Councilman Trevor Ozawa (Council District 4 – Ala Moana, Hawai‘i Kai) will be co-sponsoring a workshop to provide residents of East Oahu tips to help prevent the spread of wildfires and how to prepare in case of a fire emergency. A representative from the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO) will be presenting important information on understanding problems and solutions with combating wildfires. HWMO has been instrumental in helping Hawai‘i Island communities develop action plans against wildfires.
“In the last few months, there have been more than a dozen wildfires in and around Kamilonui Valley. That’s far too many to not take action,” said Sen. Chang on why he wanted to be proactive in light of the recent outbreak of wildfires in his district. “Although these fires are under investigation, there are steps residents can take to prohibit the spread of fires and also protect their property. There’s no reason to wait.”
The Wildfire Safety and Prevention Workshop is part of a two-day, multi-level government effort to address the recent rash of wildfires in Hawai‘i Kai. A Public Safety Town Hall Meeting is being held on Tuesday, June 6 at Hahaione Elementary School starting at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the problems and prevention of wildfires in East Oahu with city police and fire officials and a wildfire expert.
The meetings are free and open to the public.