Dozens of high school students and volunteers removed over 30 abandoned cars from a parcel of Hawaiian homelands in Anahola on Thursday. The effort aimed to reduce the risk of wildfires in the area.
The workday marked the one-year anniversary of a wildfire that threatened nearby neighborhoods, prompting precautionary evacuations. Investigators classified the 12-acre blaze as arson, which scorched 68 abandoned vehicles.
The initiative, named “Heavy Impact,” was organized by local nonprofit ‘Āina Alliance. It provided students with the opportunity to engage with heavy machinery and learn from skilled operators while participating in the removal of junked cars.
“The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands values its partnership with ‘Āina Alliance and its steadfast commitment to safeguarding our trust lands and the surrounding communities from wildfires,” said DHHL Director Kali Watson. “Organizations like ʻĀina Alliance are the backbone of our communities and the actions demonstrated today will have lasting impacts on the future of Anahola.”
Jeremie Makepa, an Anahola homesteader and Kauaʻi County fire captain, leads ʻĀina Alliance’s efforts as its board president. He noted that this is their first venture into involving kids in heavy equipment work for fire mitigation and flammable fuel removal.
“This is our first venture into getting kids involved with the heavy equipment work needed to do fire mitigation and flammable fuel removal,” Makepa said. “In essence, we’ve been left a gift to where this generation will start cleaning up the area, and that will develop their love and passion for community and wildfire prevention.”
In February 2022, the Hawaiian Homes Commission approved a right-of-entry permit to ʻĀina Alliance. The permit encourages stewardship, maintenance, and management of approximately 432 acres along Anahola's coastline on Kauaʻi’s eastern end.
Prior to issuing this permit, illegal dumping and other criminal activities were common in the area. Over 300 abandoned vehicles are scattered throughout the land parcel, with more than 100 fires reported in recent years.
“It’s about preservation and there’s nothing better than having our own children caring for the ‘āina,” Hawaiian Homes Kauaʻi Commissioner Dennis Neves said. “We’re here today because we understand how important it is to take care of our own ‘āina all while getting our ʻōpio to surround our community with their love and skills to help us move forward.”
The event was part of North Shore Give Week, a series of charitable events hosted by North Shore Give—the dba for nonprofit Kauaʻi North Shore Community Foundation—which aims to improve residents' lives through collaborative solutions for community challenges.
Stefan Swanepoel, President of North Shore Give emphasized community collaboration: "Community collaboration is absolutely, unequivocally critically important," he stated.
Trey Refamonte, a sophomore at Kapaʻa High School who participated in removing abandoned cars shared his experience: "Learning the equipment... learning how we can help people."