2005-08-10 Fire Commission Minutes

Home

Commissioner Fergerstrom inquired on whether there were other vulnerable areas in the Waikoloa District. Chief Oliveira stated that the Department of Public Works helped create a firebreak area along the makai side of Waikoloa Village. Commissioner Fergerstrom asked who owned majority of the burned property. Chief Oliveira answered that the fire involved properties owned by multi-owners, including Parker Ranch, Waikoloa Village Association, and possibly others. Commissioner Fergerstrom questioned who owned the land where the fire originated. ChiefOliveirarepliedthatitwasownedbyParkerRanch. CommissionerBrownecommentedthatthetacticalcrewmadeatextbook stop and performed an outstanding job. Commissioner Browne mentioned that he spoke with a young man at Station 16, who was working on a project and was charting all the easements around the perimeters of the Waikoloa Village Association. They discussed the different places to mark and having the association put in fire zones. He had his own initiative and put together a map that is displayed on the wall at Station 16. This is something the Firewise program should look at. Chief Oliveira stated that the HCFD would be working closely with the community and requesting their assistance to clean and maintain the firebreak. The Waikoloa Firewise program has kept it clean and this played a definite role in preventing the fire from spreading and creating more of an impact on the community. Commissioner Fergerstrom asked if this information was relayed to the Waikoloa Firewise program. Chief Oliveira stated that Councilman Hoffmans Firewise Program Coordinator was at the operation and took pictures. He would be coordinating a Firewise workshop in the community and will reinforce the importance and the benefit that project had on the community. Commissioner Fergerstrom questioned the possibility of having the County of Hawaii recognize these individuals efforts in protecting themselves and their community. 4