Building for Wildfire Resilience in Hawai‘i
A guide for builders and homeowners
Building with wildfire-resistant materials and managing the landscaping around your home can increase its chances of surviving a wildfire.
A recent analysis of home construction costs in Hawai‘i suggests that wildfire-resistant building materials for a new home are comparable in cost to non-wildfire-resistant materials. Additionally, some of the most effective strategies for retrofitting existing homes to improve wildfire resistance are relatively affordable.
HWMO conducted this analysis in partnership with Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire (CPAW), a program of the nonprofit Headwaters Economics. CPAW works with communities to reduce wildfire risks through improved land use planning.
The Wildfire-Resistant Construction & Cost in Hawai’i analysis concluded that rebuilding or retrofitting a one-story, 1,000-square-foot, single-family home for adequate wildfire resistance ranged from $20,000 to $35,000, depending on the design of the home. For improved wildfire resistance using premium products, building materials ranged from $35,000 to $60,000.
However, this research also confirmed that a structure’s vulnerability to wildfire can be reduced affordably. Simple risk-reduction strategies such as removing flammable materials from on top of and under the deck, clearing gutters, removing leaves and debris from the roof, and relocating flammable materials from underneath the home are effective maintenance tasks with very little cost to the homeowner.
HWMO’s downloadable Building for Wildfire Resilience in Hawai‘i brochure offers a handy guide to upgrades that can help you protect your home.
Discussing wildfire-resistance strategies with your neighbors can increase your community’s overall resilience, especially where homes are close together. Reducing the amount of combustible materials between homes, such as fences and vegetation, interrupts fire pathways leading from one home to another. Working together, entire neighborhoods can be better prepared for wildfire. If you’re interested in starting a Firewise USAⓇ program in your own neighborhood, check out more information here.
Wildfire-Resilient Building Resources
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Building for Wildfire Resilience in Hawai‘i – Homeowner & Builder Guide
This summary to the report is a visual guide that outlines key strategies to make homes in Hawai‘i more wildfire resilient. It covers practical upgrades for roofs, siding, decks, windows, and near-home landscaping, with clear visuals and cost indicators for each improvement. Designed for both homeowners and contractors, the brochure emphasizes high-impact actions that can greatly reduce wildfire risk.
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Report: Wildfire-Resistant Construction & Costs in Hawai‘i (2024)
This in-depth report analyzes wildfire-resistant construction strategies for homes in Hawai‘i, with a focus on materials, design considerations, and estimated costs. Developed by CPAW in collaboration with HWMO and local contractors, the report provides practical guidance for rebuilding or retrofitting single-family homes with wildfire resilience in mind. It includes Hawai‘i-specific recommendations based on local housing trends and materials availability.
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Wildfire-Resilient Construction Cost Estimates – Hawai‘i (2024)
This spreadsheet provides detailed, Hawai‘i-specific cost estimates for wildfire-resilient building materials. It breaks down components by category (roof, siding, windows, landscaping, etc.), includes suggested materials, specifications, and local pricing, and is designed to support rebuilding or retrofitting decisions.
Data was collected by CPAW and verified with local suppliers where possible.