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| Jobs for wildland firefighters are open at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. This is at Keauhou in 2018, as a firefighter pushes the flames and smoke away from native vegetation in a forest within the Park. NPS photo |
EXPERIENCED WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS and entry level applicants are invited to apply for positions at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park by end of day this Tuesday, Nov. 12. A statement from the Park says, "This role supports crucial fire management efforts, where wildfire prevention and control are essential for preserving native forests."
Duties include building fire lines and conducting backfires; using specialized equipment for wildfire suppression and monitoring fire conditions in diverse terrains. The positions are:
Wildland Firefighter (GS-03) to become an entry level member on a wildland fire crew. Performs assignments such as developing a working knowledge of fire suppression and fuels management techniques, practices, and terminology; may assist in more specialized assignments such as backfire and burnout, mobile and stationary engine attack.
Wildland Firefighter (GS-04) to work as a trained wildland firefighter. May be assigned to carry out specialized assignments such as tree felling, backfire, and burnout operations; utilizes a variety of specialized tools, equipment and techniques while actively managing wildfires. May be required to operate light vehicles and 4X4s.
A Wildland Firefighter (GS-05) to work as a trained and experienced wildland firefighter performing all aspects of wildland and prescribed fire operations including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding and mop-up. Gathers and considers information on weather data, topography, fuel types and fire behavior in responding to wildland fire incidents. May be required to operate light vehicles and 4X4s.
See https://www.usajobs.gov/job/815018700. The beginning pay is $17.01 to $19.77 per hour plus a cost of living allowance.
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| A wildfire in Eucalyptus tree farm in 2021. Photo from DLNR |
WILDFIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY are touted in a statement from Hawaiian Electric released this weekend. The utility states that while it is too expensive to put all powerlines underground, which would make them safest, it continues to advance wildfire safety efforts with operational changes, new technology and Public Safety Power Shutoff, leading to estimated 60 percent reduction in wildfire risk from utility equipment.
Hawaiian Electric launched its expanded wildfire safety strategy one year ago, Hawaiian Electric has made significant improvements that have reduced the wildfire risk from its equipment. In addition to the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program, it has been replacing and testing thousands of utility poles, upgrading miles of overhead power lines, clearing instrusive vegetation near electrical equipment, and installing weather stations and AI-assisted high definition video cameras.
"There is no question that wildfires remain a persistent threat to our communities and we are taking that threat seriously. We continue to invest in new technology and upgrades to our infrastructure to make the grid more resilient, improve reliability and address growing risks from wildfires and other hazards," said Jim Alberts, Hawaiian Electric senior vice president and chief operations officer.
He said that the upgrades are part of Hawaiian Electricʻs multi-year grid resilience program to harden against wildfires, hurricanes, tsunami and flooding, and to adapt to impacts of climate change.
Hawaiian Electric has been working with Filsinger Energy Partners, a nationally recognized independent energy advisory firm that specializes in wildfire mitigation strategies and risk modeling, since early 2024. Filsinger estimates that the various wildfire risk mitigation actions and programs implemented by Hawaiian Electric have reduced the risk of wildfire from the utility's equipment by approximately 60%.
Hawaiian Electric launched its expanded wildfire safety strategy one year ago, Hawaiian Electric has made significant improvements that have reduced the wildfire risk from its equipment. In addition to the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program, it has been replacing and testing thousands of utility poles, upgrading miles of overhead power lines, clearing instrusive vegetation near electrical equipment, and installing weather stations and AI-assisted high definition video cameras.
"There is no question that wildfires remain a persistent threat to our communities and we are taking that threat seriously. We continue to invest in new technology and upgrades to our infrastructure to make the grid more resilient, improve reliability and address growing risks from wildfires and other hazards," said Jim Alberts, Hawaiian Electric senior vice president and chief operations officer.
He said that the upgrades are part of Hawaiian Electricʻs multi-year grid resilience program to harden against wildfires, hurricanes, tsunami and flooding, and to adapt to impacts of climate change.
Hawaiian Electric has been working with Filsinger Energy Partners, a nationally recognized independent energy advisory firm that specializes in wildfire mitigation strategies and risk modeling, since early 2024. Filsinger estimates that the various wildfire risk mitigation actions and programs implemented by Hawaiian Electric have reduced the risk of wildfire from the utility's equipment by approximately 60%.
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| Fires that burned near utility lines in 2012 around Pāhala. It threatened the hospital and homes, burning macadamia orchards, some coffee lands and pasture. Other fires have skirted the town and marched into the community requiring helicopter water drops on land and buildings. Photo by Julia Neal |
Hawaiian Electric is spending about $120 million in 2024 to make wildfire safety improvements in four key areas:
Foundational Work:
Foundational Work:
Developed wildfire risk maps based on the potential of ignition by utility equipment.
Conducted inspections of circuits in high-risk areas to prioritize hardening work.
Continued ongoing vegetation management efforts in areas adjacent to power lines on all islands, spending $100 million in the last four years.
Installing 3,534 fire-safe fuses to reduce the risk of ignition.
Installing 1,071 new lightning arrestors to further protect equipment from lightning strikes.
Operational Changes:
Conducted inspections of circuits in high-risk areas to prioritize hardening work.
Continued ongoing vegetation management efforts in areas adjacent to power lines on all islands, spending $100 million in the last four years.
Installing 3,534 fire-safe fuses to reduce the risk of ignition.
Installing 1,071 new lightning arrestors to further protect equipment from lightning strikes.
Operational Changes:
Launched a Public Safety Power Shutoff program. Under this program, Hawaiian Electric may preemptively shut off power in areas that are at high risk of wildfires during periods of forecast high winds and dry conditions.
Started deployment of spotters in risk areas during hazardous weather conditions.
Set circuit breakers to automatically shut off power in risk areas when a disturbance is detected on a circuit.
Situational Awareness:
Started deployment of spotters in risk areas during hazardous weather conditions.
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| Hawaiian Electric hardens the grid by replacing utility poles and adds camera and communications networks to detect wildfires. Photo from Hawaiian Electric |
Set circuit breakers to automatically shut off power in risk areas when a disturbance is detected on a circuit.
Situational Awareness:
Installed a network of 53 weather stations in wildfire-prone areas on four islands to provide key information about wind, temperature and humidity to help the company better predict and respond to fire weather conditions. The weather stations, mounted on utility poles, provide meteorological data that will help the company decide whether to activate and deactivate a PSPS.
Started installation of a network of 78 artificial intelligence-assisted high-definition video cameras to help quickly detect wildfires.
Grid Hardening:
Started installation of a network of 78 artificial intelligence-assisted high-definition video cameras to help quickly detect wildfires.
Grid Hardening:
Replaced and upgraded 2,202 utility poles.
Replaced more than 16 miles of older overhead lines with new, more resilient lines.
Installed 4,514 single-phase fault current indicators, which allow crews to more quickly locate disturbances on lines in high-risk areas.
In addition, Hawaiian Electric is working with community partners on wildfire safety projects, such as the construction of firebreaks around schools and in communities.
A statement from Hawaiian Electric says that it "continues to adapt its Wildfire Safety Strategy to address the elevated risks in Hawaiʻi. The company continues to seek grants and federal funding for safety and resilience programs and is developing a longer-term wildfire safety plan, which will be filed with the Public Utilities Commission in January 2025."
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com.
Replaced more than 16 miles of older overhead lines with new, more resilient lines.
Installed 4,514 single-phase fault current indicators, which allow crews to more quickly locate disturbances on lines in high-risk areas.
In addition, Hawaiian Electric is working with community partners on wildfire safety projects, such as the construction of firebreaks around schools and in communities.
A statement from Hawaiian Electric says that it "continues to adapt its Wildfire Safety Strategy to address the elevated risks in Hawaiʻi. The company continues to seek grants and federal funding for safety and resilience programs and is developing a longer-term wildfire safety plan, which will be filed with the Public Utilities Commission in January 2025."
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com.
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| Taro growing in Pāhala ahead of the Kaʻū Taro Festival coming up on Saturday, Dec. 14. Photo by Julia Neal |
SIGNING UP FOR THE FIRST KAʻŪ TARO FESTIVAL, which will be held Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Kaʻū Herkes Gym Complex in Pāhala, is extended until Nov. 26. Vendors can sign up for a booth online at www.okaukakou.org/kau-taro-festival. The event is free and open to the public.
Participants who have already registered, plan to present the following: Taro fabric crafts; Taro print crocks, jewelry and apparel; Taro hummus; Freeze dried pa'i'ai; Taro mochi; Kulolo; Taro glass sun catchers and nightlights; Green salad with taro chips; Taro theme stuffed teddy bears; Freeze dried poi; LauLau; Taro smoothies; Taro watercolor images; Taro popsicles; Taro bobo drinks; Poi balls; and Taro print bags, towels & coasters.
Also on the menu of food and crafts are: Chicken laulau stew; Taro themed key fobs, pouches & bags; Taro carved wood tiki lights and magnets; Taro stained glass; Taro wood carvings & boxes; Ahi poi poke bowls; Taro print cards, portraits & images; and Live taro plants.
Taro categories that remain open and available for vendors are: Squid luau; Laulau stew; Taro corms; Laulau leaf; and anything else taro related not listed above.
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Also on the menu of food and crafts are: Chicken laulau stew; Taro themed key fobs, pouches & bags; Taro carved wood tiki lights and magnets; Taro stained glass; Taro wood carvings & boxes; Ahi poi poke bowls; Taro print cards, portraits & images; and Live taro plants.
Taro categories that remain open and available for vendors are: Squid luau; Laulau stew; Taro corms; Laulau leaf; and anything else taro related not listed above.
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