Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions?

  • We are a 100% volunteer-powered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We started as a grassroots group in a high-risk community and developed a successful model for advocacy and action. Our new mission is to provide that proven blueprint—the tools, templates, and strategies—to any community ready to organize for wildfire safety.

  • Wildfire is an existential threat to our communities, economy, and way of life. It doesn't stop at property lines. A community's resilience depends on the actions of its entire population. We work on the core principle that prevention is protection. Proactive community-wide efforts are far more effective and safer than reacting to a crisis.

  • The best way to stay informed is to sign up for our email newsletter. We send regular updates on upcoming events, advocacy alerts, and progress reports. You can sign up at the bottom of this page or on our Home page.

  • Everything! Every major movement starts with a single voice. You can:

    • Prepare Your Property: Create defensible space around your own home. HWMO is a great organization that provides guides on how to do this and offers free home assessments.

    • Donate: Your financial support funds critical resources, equipment, and outreach.

    • Volunteer: Participate in one of our many community events throughout the year.

    • Advocate: Write emails to local officials, attend meetings, and talk to your neighbors.

  • We are a complementary force, not a replacement. Our role is community organizing, prevention, and advocacy. We build public demand for safety, organize volunteer efforts to reduce fuel loads, and work with officials towards increased resources and better policies.

  • Local businesses are the backbone of our community and have a major stake in its safety and economic health. We offer several pathways:

    • Sponsorship: Become a named sponsor of a major project or event.

    • In-Kind Donations: Donate services (printing, food for volunteers, equipment).

    • Corporate Volunteering: Organize a team of employee volunteers for a workday.

    Supporting wildfire safety is a powerful demonstration of your commitment to the community. Contact us to discuss a partnership.

  • We are proud to be 100% volunteer-run. Every single dollar donated goes directly to our programs, not salaries or overhead. Your donations fund:

    • Educational materials and mailers for residents.

    • Website and digital outreach to rally support.

    • Resources and templates for other communities.

  • By seeking information, you've already taken the first step towards involvement! Raising awareness is a fundamental goal, and your interest in learning about the hazards facing Waikōloa Village is incredibly valuable. We are grateful that you're here. 

    To further engage, we warmly invite you to attend our monthly community meetings held on the first Wednesday of every month in the WVA Community room. Bring a neighbor or two! Additionally, we encourage you to join our mailing list and introduce yourself.

    Becoming a recognized and active group member is a powerful way to contribute. We aim to make our collective voices LOUD and we need more voices to join us. We want to mobilize as many people as possible to express their concern for this critical issue. Although we are in the early stages of our advocacy, your participation could make a significant difference.

    We look forward to welcoming you and working together to enhance the safety and resilience of our most vulnerable communities.

  • Yes, government agencies have a critical role in response and land management. However, the scale of the wildfire problem is immense and often outpaces official resources. Our role is to act as a force multiplier. We organize community action on private property, create a unified voice to ensure citizen concerns are heard by officials, and advocate for smarter policies and increased funding. We work with agencies, holding them accountable while supporting their mission with on-the-ground community mobilization.

  • Vegetation management (fuel reduction) is our most visible action, but it's just one tool in our toolkit. Our work is much broader:

    • Advocacy: Pushing for improved building codes, evacuation planning, and increased funding for fire prevention.

    • Community Building: Creating a network of prepared neighbors who can support each other before, during, and after a crisis.

    Think of clearing brush as the immediate, tangible action that also serves as a rallying point for these larger, systemic efforts.

  • Renters are vital members of our community! Your safety is equally important. You can:

    • Advocate: Talk to your landlord or property manager about the need for vegetation clearance and fire-safe practices. We can provide you with materials to share with them.

    • Prepare: Ensure you have a go-bag and know your evacuation route. Your preparedness protects you and reduces the burden on emergency services.

    • Participate: Join volunteer events and advocacy efforts. Your voice matters just as much.

  • HOAs are often the most impactful level of local governance for driving change. Approach them with:

    • Data: Show them the specific wildfire risk for your community.

    • Liability: Explain how proactive mitigation can reduce their liability.

    • Property Value: Frame it as protecting property values for everyone.

    • A Plan: Present a clear, phased, and budget-conscious action plan. Offering to lead a committee demonstrates your seriousness and willingness to share the workload.

  • We track both quantitative and qualitative metrics:

    • Quantitative: Acres of fuel reduced, number of homes assessed, dollars secured for community projects from officials, number of communities we activate.

    • Qualitative: Shifts in local government policy, increased attendance at community preparedness events, stronger relationships between residents and fire officials, and most importantly, the confidence our members feel in their community's resilience.

  • Yes. Wildfire Safety Advocates is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. You will receive a receipt via email for your records.