Hawaiʻi Wildfire Summit 2026
One Team. A Shared Mission. Our Kuleana.
Hawaiʻi Wildfire Summit 2026
Bringing together partners across Hawaiʻi to learn, share, and advance wildfire readiness and resilience.
Mahalo nui loa to everyone who joined us for the Hawaiʻi Wildfire Summit 2026, a two-day gathering on Kauaʻi that brought together agencies, organizations, practitioners, and communities from across Hawaiʻi to learn together, share progress, strengthen relationships, and continue advancing wildfire readiness and resilience statewide.
We were encouraged and genuinely happy to spend time among so many people from different sectors and communities, exchanging ideas, talking story, planning together, and building connections that will continue well beyond the summit itself. Coming together in spaces like this remains one of the most important ways we strengthen coordination, support one another, and move resilience work forward across Hawaiʻi.
The 2026 summit was hosted through a partnership between the Kauaʻi Fire Department, Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency, Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization, and the Hawaiʻi DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife, with support from additional County of Kauaʻi partners and fire and emergency management partners from across the state and country.
Presentations and Session Recordings
Day 1 Summit Kickoff & Opening Remarks
This kickoff session welcomes attendees and sets the stage for two days of discussion, coordination, and collaboration focused on wildfire preparedness, resilience, and response across Hawaiʻi.
Introduced by Nani Barretto, Co-Executive Director of the Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO).
Speakers include:
• Chief Michael Gibson, Kauaʻi Fire Department
• Michael Walker, Department of Land & Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Wildlife
• Dori Booth, Office of State Fire Marshal
• Elton Ushio, Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency
2026 Dry Season Forecast
A presentation by John Bravender of the NOAA National Weather Service.
This session highlights seasonal weather outlooks and conditions relevant to wildfire preparedness and planning across the state.
National Wildfire Perspectives
This session examines how wind-driven wildfires are impacting communities across the country and highlights science-based strategies, planning considerations, and cross-sector coordination efforts.
Panelists:
• Derek Alkonis, UL Fire Safety Research Institute
• Justice Jones, International Code Council
• Emily Jane Davis, Oregon State University
• Doug Green, DoKi Solutions / FACETS
Moderator:
• Elizabeth Pickett, Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO)
Day 2 Opening Protocol & Welcome
This session includes cultural protocol, welcome remarks, and an opening presentation focused on the current wildfire landscape in Hawaiʻi and the work ahead to strengthen statewide wildfire resilience and coordination.
Featuring:
• Blessing by Chief Amos Lonokailua-Hewett
• Welcome from Mayor Derek Kawakami, County of Kauaʻi
• National Anthem & Hawaiʻi Ponoʻi by Nalani Brun
Moderator:
• Chief Michael Gibson, Kauaʻi Fire Department
Setting the Stage: Where We Are & The Work Ahead
Presented by:
• Elizabeth Pickett, Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO)
This opening presentation provides an overview of Hawaiʻi’s current wildfire landscape, ongoing resilience efforts, and the work ahead to strengthen coordination, preparedness, and long-term wildfire risk reduction across the state.
Fire Adapted Communities: Firewise Communities Program Panel
This session focuses on Fire Adapted Communities, providing an overview of goals and available programs, followed by examples and highlights from across Hawaiʻi.
Firewise Communities Program Panel:Anuhea Kānealiʻi, Cassandra Smith, Dana Aina, Elizabeth Keifer, Erin Conway, Harriet Parsons
Moderated by Nani Barretto of the Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization.
Fire Adapted Communities: Kauaʻi Plantation Camp Wildland-Urban Interface Ordinance
This session explores wildfire risk reduction, planning considerations, and collaborative efforts related to wildfire preparedness in plantation camp communities and the wildland-urban interface on Kauaʻi.
Featuring:
• Kaʻaina Hull, Kauaʻi Planning Department
• Chief Michael Gibson, Kauaʻi Fire Department
• Doug Green, DoKi Solutions
• Elizabeth Pickett, Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO)
DLNR-DOFAW Wildfire Updates
Presented by:
• Michael Walker, Department of Land & Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife
This session highlights current wildfire-related efforts, priorities, and updates from DLNR-DOFAW as part of ongoing statewide wildfire preparedness and resilience work across Hawaiʻi.
Wildfire Resilient Landscapes: HUI Grant Program Panel
This discussion highlights the Hawaiʻi Urban Interface (HUI) Grant Program and ongoing efforts across Hawaiʻi to support healthier, more fire-resilient lands and waters through community-based mitigation and landscape resilience projects.
Featuring:
• Eric Moller, Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO)
• HUI Grant Program Recipients
Moderator:
• Dr. Clay Trauernicht, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
Wildfire Resilient Landscapes: MEMA Mitigation Projects
This presentation highlights mitigation projects and wildfire resilience efforts from Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) focused on supporting healthier, more fire-resilient lands and communities across Maui County.
Presented by Amos Lonokailua-Hewett and Christopher Wegner of Maui Emergency Management Agency. Moderated by Dr. Clay Trauernicht of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.
Safe & Effective Fire & Emergency Response
This session highlights efforts to strengthen wildfire preparedness, operational coordination, community risk assessment, and community risk reduction to improve outcomes during wildfire events.
Topics include Standards of Cover, Community Risk Assessment, Community Risk Reduction, and FACETS overview and updates. Moderated by Chief Brad Ventura of the Maui Fire Department.
Since the 2023 Fires: Hawaiʻi’s Progress and the Global Fire Context
This session features presentations from Derek Alkonis of the UL Fire Safety Research Institute, focused on lessons learned, the global fire context, and continued statewide coordination moving forward together.
Reflecting Back, Looking Forward
This session lead by Elizabeth Pickett emphasizes the importance of working together across communities, organizations, agencies, and sectors to support preparedness, mitigation, and long-term wildfire resilience.
Presentation slides: click here
Wildfire Summit 2026 Registration
Registration has ended. The summit has reached capacity, and we are unable to accept additional registrations at this time.
If you are a presenter or speaker and have not yet registered, please contact us at admin@hawaiiwildfire.org
Event Overview:
When
May 7, 2026 (afternoon & evening) and May 8, 2026 (full day)
Where
Summit Kickoff May 7:
Kauaʻi Philippine Cultural Center
4475f Nuhou St, Lihue, HI 96766
Full Program Day May 8:
Kauaʻi War Memorial Convention Hall
4191 Hardy Street, Līhuʻe, HI 96766
Cost
$55 per person
Registration fee includes:
Thursday evening networking and dinner
Friday lunch
Registration processing fees
Early registrants will receive a swag bag while supplies last.
Program Overview
Thursday, May 7: Kauaʻi Philippine Cultural Center (Afternoon and Evening Only)
Kickoff + National Perspectives
2:00 PM Registration
3:00 PM Summit Kickoff
The summit begins with an afternoon kickoff session that brings attendees together for a shared start to the event.
Highlights include:
Welcome from state and county partners
Opening ceremony
National perspectives on wildfire management, initiatives, and coordination
5:00-6:00 PM Networking Reception
6:00 PM Hosted Dinner
This session sets the stage for the summit, connecting Hawaiʻi’s work to broader national efforts and partnerships.
Friday, May 8: Kauaʻi War Memorial Convention Hall (Full Day, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM)
Working Across the System
9:00 AM Opening remarks: introduction to the theme and statewide context of programming
Fire Adapted Communities (FAC)
Explore how people, policies, and the built environment contribute to wildfire resilience.
Sessions include:
Firewise Communities panel featuring local leaders and statewide updates
Kauaʻi planning and WUI code implementation
State policy, funding, CWPP, and mapping updates
Wildfire Resilient Landscapes (WRL)
Focus on land management strategies that support healthy, fire-resilient ecosystems.
Sessions include:
Statewide grant program projects and lessons learned
Mitigation efforts and updates from MEMA
Practical strategies for managing wildfire risk across landscapes
Safe & Effective Response (SER)
Learn how fire and emergency response agencies are strengthening preparedness and coordination.
Sessions include:
County and statewide response coordination efforts
Cross-agency collaboration and operational strategies
Final Reflections + Coordination
The summit concludes with a forward-looking discussion on statewide collaboration, coordination, and shared responsibility, reinforcing the theme of One Team. A Shared Mission. Our Kuleana.
Closing includes:
Reflections on Hawaiʻi’s progress and future direction
Moving forward together across agencies, organizations, and communities
Closing protocol and acknowledgements
The Hawaiʻi Wildfire Summit will be pau at 4:00 PM.
Venue + Travel
Venue
Summit Kickoff May 7:
Kauaʻi Philippine Cultural Center
4475f Nuhou St, Lihue, HI 96766
Full Program Day May 8:
Kauaʻi War Memorial Convention Hall
4191 Hardy Street, Līhuʻe, HI 96766
Parking
Free parking is available on site.
Airport
Līhuʻe Airport (LIH) is the primary airport for attendees.
Ground Transportation
Rental cars, rideshare, and taxis are available on Kauaʻi. Personal or rental vehicles are the most efficient way to travel between venues.
Lodging
The Summit will take place in Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi, across two locations.
There are a variety of nearby hotels and vacation rentals, allowing participants to choose accommodations that best fit their needs. No room block has been reserved for this event, providing flexibility to book what works best for you.
Accessibility
If you need an ASL interpreter, materials in an alternate format, or other auxiliary aids or services, or an interpreter for a language other than English, please contact the Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization at admin@hawaiiwildfire.org as soon as possible.
Requests made as early as possible will allow adequate time to fulfill your request. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic copy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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You are welcome to attend whichever portion of the Summit you are able. If you must choose just one day, we strongly recommend Friday, which serves as the primary Summit day and features the full program of Hawaiʻi-focused presentations, updates, and discussion.
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There are many hotels and vacation rentals within 10 miles of the Kauaʻi Convention Hall. No hotel block has been reserved, as local kamaʻāina rates often offer the best value and allow flexibility for attendees to choose what works best.
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No. This event is designed to be in person for the best learning, sharing, and partnership building. We will film and share select highlights afterward for those unable to attend.
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The Summit spans two venues to support different sessions and activities. It is one cohesive, two-day experience, with each day building on the other. We strongly encourage attending both days to get the full value.
Sponsors + Partners
The Hawaiʻi Wildfire Summit is made possible through the support of our partners and sponsors.
Become a Sponsor
Interested in supporting the 2026 Hawaiʻi Wildfire Summit?
Your contribution helps bring together agencies, organizations, and communities from across Hawaiʻi to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and advance wildfire resilience statewide.
Sponsorships support event costs and help ensure broad participation from communities and partners across the state.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Organizations that support the summit will receive:
$1,000+
One complimentary registration and acknowledgment on the summit website$2,500+
Two complimentary registrations, website acknowledgment, and optional outreach/vendor table$5,000+
Four complimentary registrations, website acknowledgment, optional outreach/vendor table, and public recognition during the event
All contributing organizations will be acknowledged in summit materials and communications.
Support the Summit
Questions:
For sponsorship inquiries, please contact:
admin@hawaiiwildfire.org
Contact Information
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HWMO email: admin@hawaiiwildfire.org
If you have any questions at the conference, please look for a Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization staff member.
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Located in: Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School
Address: 4475f Nuhou St, Lihue, HI 96766
Phone: (808) 431-4120
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Address: 4191 Hardy Street
Līhuʻe, HI 96766Phone Number: (808) 241-4460
Managed by: County of Kauaʻi – Department of Parks & Recreation
Past Summits:
See highlights and program from the 2025 Hawaiʻi Wildfire Summit
