This two-page illustrated flier offers practical guidance on selecting, placing, and caring for trees and plants in Hawaiʻi yards to reduce wildfire risk. Produced in collaboration with HWMO, DLNR, USDA Forest Service, and the Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program, the flier emphasizes firewise principles adapted for island ecosystems—balancing wildfire safety with the ecological and cultural benefits of native plants.
Students and educators can:
Explore the “Right Tree, Right Place, Right Care” model, learning how to reduce fire risk while maintaining a healthy yard.
Conduct a home or school landscape audit using tips from the flier (e.g., 5 ft fire-free zone, canopy spacing).
Sort native, drought-tolerant, and flammable plant species using the linked Weed Risk Assessment, Plant Pono, and SelecTree QR tools.
Create a firewise planting plan for a campus or backyard space, applying the “Lean, Clean, Green” framework.
Discuss how wildfire intersects with land use, climate, and native species resilience in Hawaiʻi.
Wildfire risk reduction through landscaping
Tree and plant selection for defensible space
Native species and drought-tolerant gardening
Urban forestry and community fire preparedness
Integrated landscape planning and ecological resilience
Conservation messaging for residential areas in fire-prone zones
