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watershed, in most urgent need of restoration in 2004. In 2003, DOH recorded turbidity in the bay to be close to 18 times the allowable water quality standard. (Pelekane Bay Watershed Sediment Runoff Analysis, 2007) Waters off of Hapuna Beach Park and Spencer Beach Park are also on the list of DOH impaired water bodies. However, these two sites are not nearly as heavily polluted as Pelekane Bay. The health and condition of South Kohala's coral reefs has been affected by both natural and man made events. Natural disasters such as tsunami, storms, and lava flows have all had a significant negative impact on coastal reefs over time. Man made events have also impacted the health of coral reefs in a negative way such as the dredging of reefs to cleaz waterways for boats or development and through the introduction of feral ungulates such as goats. The feral ungulates over graze and remove the vegetative cover on land. During rain events, the lack of vegetative cover causes soil to run off into the ocean and smother the reefs. NATURAL DISASTERS AND HAZARDS Wildfires Dry invasive grasses, especially fountain grass, cover much of the inland and coastal azeas in the southern portion of the district. The dry, dense, biomass of grass is an easily combustible fuel that carries fire quickly over lazge areas. Also located in these areas are small groves of kiawe trees, which are scattered throughout the landscape. Wildfire is a major threat to the health and safety of most South Kohala residents and is the most frequently occurring natural hazazd in the region. Wildfires can be defined as any non- structural fire in a wild area. The district's gusty winds, naturally dry and hot climate in the southern and coastal regions, and the lazge amounts of fountain grass that grow in these azeas not only increases the likelihood of wildfire occurrence, but also contributes to the rapid spread of fire. In July 2007, a brush fire burned over 9,300 acres near the Waikoloa Rd. and Mamalahoa Hwy. junction. Also, in October 2007, nine fires were stazted by arsonists, including a wildfire that spread over 1,000 acres near the Puako community. The dryland forests that once thrived in the region are lost, primarily due to wildfire. Hawaii Island's dryland forests are one of the most endangered habitats in the world. These native habitats support many Hawaiian cultural activities. As wildfires wipe out more native habitat, invasive grasses invade these areas and the wildfire cycle continues. Remnants of the old dryland forests exist near Waikoloa Village. An intact, but seriously threatened, dryland forest containing rare native Wiliwili trees and native and endangered Uhiuhi trees exists just south of the village. The trees range in age from 5 to 600 years. A significant portion of the forest is cared for by the Waikoloa Village Outdoor Circle's Waikoloa Dry Forest Recovery Project. The project area is about 250 acres. South Kohala has all the required elements for a wildfire disaster. It is possible that during extreme fire conditions with dry fuels and high winds, fire fighters, equipment, and water supplies can become depleted as numerous homes ignite and bum. Fire crews cannot simultaneously evacuate residents and effectively take suppression action in a subdivision of homes that are igniting within a few minutes of each other. 13