Growth and Risk: Why Waikoloa's Expanding Population Demands Urgent Action
Article Summary.
"Waikoloa population grows, fire safety concerns" (Hawaiʻi Public Radio, Aug 1, 2024)
A recent article from Hawaiʻi Public Radio highlights a critical challenge our community faces: rapid growth without a commensurate increase in emergency infrastructure. The piece reports that while the Waikoloa Village population has surged by nearly 50% since the 2010 census, the primary emergency access routes remain limited to the same two-lane roads.
The article features concerns from Hawaii County Fire Marshal Joseph C. Farias, who explicitly states that the current road infrastructure is "not sufficient" to handle a rapid, large-scale evacuation in the event of a major wildfire. He points out that the combination of heavy traffic from a larger population and the potential for downed power lines or embers blocking roads could create a deadly scenario. The report also notes the persistent high fire risk from the surrounding grasslands, emphasizing that the danger is growing in lockstep with the population.
Our Thoughts as Wildfire Safety Advocates:
Validation of Our Deepest Concerns: This article from a respected source is not news to us—it is a public validation of the concerns we have been raising for years. Having the County Fire Marshal explicitly state that our evacuation routes are inadequate is a powerful and sobering acknowledgment of the grave risk we face. It moves the conversation from community worry to an officially recognized public safety crisis.
Growth Must Be Managed with Safety First: The data is clear: more people means more cars on the roads, more potential ignition sources, and a more complex and time-sensitive evacuation process. This underscores the absolute necessity for county planning and permitting to be intrinsically tied to fire mitigation and evacuation capacity. We cannot approve new developments without a concrete, funded plan to address the increased strain on our emergency egress. Safety must be the non-negotiable foundation of all future growth.
A Call for Immediate and Collaborative Action: This isn't just a problem for the fire department; it's a multi-faceted challenge that requires urgent action from multiple agencies. We need to see:
Traffic Engineering Solutions: Exploring options for road widening, turn lanes, and designated emergency lanes.
Aggressive Vegetation Management: Creating and maintaining defensible space and fuel breaks along all major evacuation routes to keep them clear and passable during a fire.
Enhanced Community Alert Systems: Ensuring robust, multi-layered warning systems that can reach every resident without delay.
Individual Preparedness: This article serves as a powerful reminder that every household should have a go-bag ready and a family evacuation plan that does not rely on a flawless, orderly exit. Know your routes, have a plan B and C, and be prepared to leave early.
QUOTE
“Waikōloa Village has only one public road in and out of the community, as well as an evacuation route that is generally blocked off to public access by a locked gate.”
In Conclusion.
Growth is not inherently negative, but unmanaged growth in a high-risk wildfire zone is a recipe for disaster. This HPR article is a crucial wake-up call for our entire community and its leaders. We must demand that infrastructure and safety planning not only keep pace with development but lead it. Our lives depend on it.
Read the full article from Hawaiʻi Public Radio here: Waikoloa population grows, fire safety concerns
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