Waikōloa Wildfire Risk Remains High as Agencies Delay Second Road Action

A new article from Honolulu Civil Beat highlights the ongoing Waikōloa wildfire risk and the widening gap between documented danger and infrastructure progress in our community.

Read the full article here: https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/02/while-agencies-dither-waikoloa-village-remains-a-wildfire-risk/

Civil Beat article discussing ongoing Waikōloa wildfire risk and stalled second road progress.

Single Road Access and the Reality of Waikōloa Wildfire Risk

According to the state Attorney General and Fire Safety Research Institute’s analysis, Waikōloa Village has “100 percent higher wildfire risk than any other place in the United States,” placing it among the most exposed communities in the country.

Despite this risk, Waikōloa Village continues to rely on a single fully functional arterial road for evacuation, with only one gated emergency route available during drills or emergencies.

The village has already been evacuated twice due to wildfire threats, including during the 40,000-acre Mana Road fire in 2021, when residents reported long wait times and limited options for safe departure.

Funding Approved, But Progress on Reducing Waikōloa Wildfire Risk Stalls

Access and evacuation challenges in Waikōloa Village have been known for decades. As early as 2004, law enforcement and county leadership identified the lack of a second road as a serious public safety concern.

In 2008, the South Kohala Community Development Plan classified a second access road as a “very high priority,” yet formal progress has remained elusive.

In 2025, the Hawaiʻi County Council unanimously allocated funding for design and engineering work on the second road, intended to link the north end of Waikōloa Village to Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway.

However, those funds remain unspent as agencies, including the County and the State, dispute responsibility for construction and project leadership.

The Attorney General’s independent wildfire analysis repeatedly identifies limited access and evacuation infrastructure as central life-safety issues that have direct consequences in fast-moving fire events.

The lack of clarity on who will build the second road, combined with a growing population and continued housing development, means the risk faced by residents is rising even as progress stalls.

Addressing Waikōloa Wildfire Risk Cannot Wait

We are grateful for the reporting that keeps Waikōloa wildfire risk in the public eye. Articles like this encourage transparency, accountability, and constructive engagement from decision-makers at every level.

We will continue to share updates and work with partners, officials, and the community to ensure that documented risk and real-world readiness align.