Agencies Delay Action as Waikōloa Village Continues to Face Wildfire Risk

The community of Waikōloa Village in Hawai’i faces a significant wildfire risk due to its windy and dry climate. In fact, according to a report by the Attorney General and Fire Safety Research Institute, Waikōloa Village has a 100% higher wildfire risk than anywhere else in the United States, making it one of the most vulnerable communities in the country.

Despite these dangerous conditions, Waikōloa Village only has one main road, Waikōloa Road, and a single-lane emergency route called Hulu. This emergency route is typically closed and only opened during drills or declared emergencies.

During past evacuations in 2005 and most recently during the Mānā Road fire in 2021, residents had to rely on the single-lane emergency route for evacuation, causing significant delays and congestion. Because this route serves as the only outbound lane during evacuations, emergency responders are forced to use the same road as residents trying to leave.

Efforts to address this issue have been ongoing for years. The lack of a second road was identified as a public safety concern as early as 2004. Despite formal recognition of the need for a second access road in the county’s 2008 South Kohala Community Development Plan, little progress has been made. The community continues to grow, with both market-rate and affordable housing developments planned, adding to the strain on the existing road infrastructure.

In 2025, the Hawai’i County Council allocated $2.5 million for the design and engineering work for a second access road to Waikōloa Village. However, disagreements between state and local officials have stalled progress on the construction of this crucial road. While the county has earmarked funds for the project, state officials have indicated that construction will only move forward once the roadway progress is made.

This lack of coordination and funding allocation has left Waikōloa Village residents and advocates concerned about their safety in the event of a wildfire. Clear communication and collaboration between state and local agencies will be essential to ensure that this critical infrastructure project moves forward in a timely manner.