CHAPTER 3: Hazard Identification 3.0 Introduction to Hazards in Kaua'i County To identify hazards and associated risks that affect Kaua'i County, and to understand the impact of the hazards, it is essential to consider the assets and features of Kaua'i County that encourage its citizens to protect and preserve their island. A review of the geography and topography of the island, as illustrated in all map annexes for Chapter 3 showing Countywide and local maps of hazards, provides a better understanding of how where hazards overlay with people, places and assets, and what types of problems may result. Table 3-1. Hazard & Risk Assessment Overview for County of Kaua`i. Hazard Type Hazard Occurrence (Frequency) Degree of Vulnerability (Scale?) Historical Losses Risk Level (High, Medium, Low) Hazards Identified Per Requirement §201.6(c)(2)(i) A. Comprehensive Range of Actions and Projects Avalanche Yes N S Coastal Erosion ▢ ▢ Coastal Storm ▢ ▢ ▢ Dam Failure ▢ ▢ ▢ Drought ▢ ▢ ▢ Earthquake ▢ ▢ ▢ Expansive Soils ▢ ▢ ▢ Levee Failure ▢ ▢ ▢ Flood ▢ ▢ ▢ Hailstorm ▢ ▢ ▢ Hurricane ▢ ▢ ▢ Land Subsidence ▢ ▢ ▢ Landslide ▢ ▢ ▢ Severe Winter Storm ▢ ▢ ▢ Tornado ▢ ▢ ▢ Tsunami ▢ ▢ ▢ Volcano ▢ ▢ ▢ Wildfire ▢ ▢ ▢ Windstorm ▢ ▢ ▢ Other change ▢ ▢ ▢ Other sea level rise ▢ ▢ ▢ Other ▢ ▢ ▢
supplies, wildlife, and other areas that are sensitive to reduced rainfall and fluctuations in water supply. Clear policies and establishment of response entities to implement immediate and short-term response measures to reduce drought impacts and longer-term mitigation measures to reduce the future impacts of drought. In addition, the drought plan makes several recommendations regarding performance of risk management assessments pertaining to potential drought impacts. 3.4 Wildfires Every year, DOFAW and KFD work to protect 3,660,000 acres in the County of Kaua`i. Table 3-10 offers a review of wildfire events from 1997 – 2012 using best available data from DOFAW. In 2009, there were 7 wildfires, Table 3-10 Yearly wildfire suppression activities by DOFAW Year # Fire events Total Area Burnt (acres) 1997 0 260 1998 7 15772 1999 19 21948 2000 13 22526 2001 7 2288 2002 3 288 0.7 2003 6 4002 9 2004 3 6 1886 2005 4 40.2 41.2 2006 1 135 19515 2007 2 292 23525 2008 2009 7 8074 2010 5 9529 2011 3 1566 2012 17 5837 Source: DOFAW Annual Reports 1997-2012 (Best available data only up until 2012). Although there was no FEMA declared fire, there were number of incidents where the county agencies and DOFAW were involved for wildfire suppression. Kauai County Fire Department suggests ways to reduce your risk from brush fires during the drought season. Owners of large, vacant lots should cut down high grass, and maintain road access to their lots and within the lots where fires may erupt. Landowners need to be on top of the management of these lands. Every year, as documented in DOFAW Annual Reports, DOFAW and the Kauai Fire Department engage in community awareness and fire reduction activities, including the following: 2007-2008: Maintained 29 acres of fire break in the Puu Ka Pele FR, 13 acres in the Na Pall Kona FR, and 100 acres in the Kekaha Game Management Area, island of Kauai. Twelve acres of safety zones were also maintained, including 5 acres of helispots in Kauai's wilderness areas. Maintained 12 acres of safety zones and 5 acres of helicopter land zones in remote areas on the island of Kauai. 2009-2010: