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Community Description
Kalaupapa NHP is located at sea level on the North shore of Molokai, Hawaii. The 8,700-acre peninsula is isolated from the rest of the island by a 2000-foot cliff along the parks southern boundary. Kalaupapa Settlement is home to 45 Hansen’s Disease patients, many of whom are elderly. The Kalaupapa Settlement has 195 historic structures; and is surrounded by brush on three sides.
The fuel load on the peninsula has increased dramatically in recent years with the removal of cattle. Typical winds are from the NE at 20-25 mph gusting up to 35 mph. With the current build up of fuels and with traditional NE winds, any wildland fire would pose a significant threat to the settlement.
The only fire protection is with the Kalaupapa Fire Brigade, which consists of one 750 gal. structural engine with 7 Red Carded personnel. Due to its isolated location, any additional resources would have to be flown by air from the other islands.
For years FIREPRO and ONPS funds have been used for constructing and maintaining a fuel break approx. 1 mile along the eastern edge of the settlement.
It was decided a combination of fuel break and sprinkler system would greatly enhance the suppression capability to protect the community. A sprinkler system was installed along the 1-mile long fuel break on the eastern side of the community. Any park personnel can activate the system by turning a valve in the event of a wildland fire approaching the community.
Due to lack of resources and isolated location, the sprinkler system has provided a greatly needed addition to providing wildland fire protection to the Kalaupapa Settlement and its residents.
$219,000.00 of WUI funds were provided to have a private contractor install the system.
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