Three organizations on the Big Island were among eight across the five main Hawaiian Islands awarded $1.8 million through the 2026 Hawaiʻi Urban Interface Wildfire Grant Program to reduce hazardous fuels, improve evacuation planning, strengthen preparedness and increase wildfire resilience. (Photo courtesy: DLNR)“Wildfire risk looks different in every community and these projects reflect that,” said Nani Barretto, co-executive director of Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization. Projects awarded funding on Hawai‘i Island include:Kailapa Community Association was awarded $300,000. The work is intended to reduce wildfire intensity and protect residents, homes and first responders. The project will use manual clearing, mechanical vegetation management and managed grazing along community boundaries, roadways and evacuation routes.