HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunication No. 2024-12 Letter to HWMO Hamakua Wildfire Preparedness PlanDirectors Nani Madeiros and Elizabeth Pickett
Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization
Dear Nani and Elizabeth,
The Hamakua Community Development Plan Action Committee wishes to
again express our appreciation for the work which you are doing on behalf of
the residents of Hamakua in facing the threat of wildfire. Especially, thank you
for the excellent presentation before our committee in November of last year.
As we get closer to 'fire season' we in communities along the Hamakua
coast will probably become more interested in the status of the Hamakua
Wildfire Preparedness Plan which you referenced in that presentation. Of
course, that season is probably still a few months away, but preparation time is
always 'now'.
That this Plan has not been released to the Public after 4 or 5 months of
consideration, and possibly discussion, at expert levels, likely means that there
is some disjunct between what has been proposed in the Plan which you had
submitted, and what is felt practical by the Agencies responsible for its
application.
We, as the public, would be interested in where that tension might exist
between the ideal and the practical. It can be imagined that your organization,
as advocates, might strive toward that ideal. The County undoubtedly has an
obligation to work within its limitations. And obviously, the two of you must work
together to confront the challenge.
It is therefore wondered if it would be practical that the Action Committee
would become informed as to any discussion that might be taking place which
will shape the final design of the Plan which HWMO and the County are
formulating. Of course, this would be public disclosure, and it may be that
there are sensitive issues. But, I think that it is reasonable that the Public be
informed of dimensions which may separate the ideal from the realizable or
practical. The public might wish to advocate on its own for striving toward the
ideal in its protection, and might be able to volunteer energy toward realizing
that ideal.
Mahalo for your consideration.
______________________
Chair, Hamakua Community Development Plan Action Committee
Communication No. 2024-12