2025-10-23 Emergency Proclamation and Emergency Rule No. 1 Relating to the Red Flag Warning

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WHEREAS, the NWS forecasts that the relative humidity for this period may be as low as 40 percent; and WHEREAS, the NWS U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that on October 23, 2025, parts of Hawaii Island ranged from either abnormally dry to extreme drought; and WHEREAS, the combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm/dry conditions can contribute to extreme fire behavior and the potential for widespread ignition and rapid spread of any new or existing fires; and WHEREAS, these conditions pose an imminent and substantial threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the people, property, and environment, of the County of Hawaii, and will require an immediate response that may require assistance from other counties, the state, the federal government, or private agencies; and WHEREAS, HRS § 127A-25 provides that the Mayor may adopt rules for the County for the purposes of carrying out any provision of HRS Chapter 127, which may have the force and effect of law if so stated in the rules, and is not subject to HRS Chapter 91; and WHEREAS, the NWS has stated that under these conditions, fires that develop will likely spread rapidly, and that outdoor burning is not recommended; and WHEREAS, a 2023 Congressional Research Service report on Wildfire Statistics found that an average of 89% of the reported wildfires from 2018 to 2022 were human -caused; and WHEREAS, the actions authorized and taken pursuant to this emergency proclamation, including the prohibitions contained in Emergency Rule No. 1, are reasonably necessary to address this emergency or disaster; and NOW, THEREFORE, I, C. KIMO ALAMEDA, Mayor of the County of Hawaii, do hereby proclaim and declare, effective October 23, 2025, that a local state of emergency exists under HRS § 127A-14(b), CCH § 13-23, and HCC § 7-1-6(a), because there is an imminent danger or threat of an emergency or a disaster within the South, Southeast, North-Kohala, and Interior portions of Hawaii Island, as more specifically shown in the NWS Hazards & Warnings map attached as Exhibit A, within the County of Hawaii as contemplated by HRS § 127A-14(b); and I FURTHER DECLARE that it is necessary to invoke the following: Invocation of Laws. Pursuant to HRS § 127A-12(c)(17), the Mayor may take any and all steps necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of HRS Chapter 127A, including the additional powers in HRS § 127A-13(b) which may only be exercised during an emergency period. I hereby authorize and invoke the following powers related to emergency management, if not already in effect: 2