HONOLULU – At a First Insurance volunteer workday on Saturday, Feb. 3 at Palehua, Mālama Learning Center (MLC) continued its efforts to reduce wildfire risks in Leeward O‘ahu through education and the planting and cultivation of green firebreaks, or “greenbreaks.”
On O‘ahu, the fire threat is particularly severe around the Wai‘anae mountains, where highly flammable invasive grasses and shrubs are rampant. One technique that has proven effective in slowing wildfires is creating green firebreaks, or “greenbreaks” – multi-layered strips of vegetation that resist fire.
“Mālama Learning Center and members of the Wai‘anae Mountains Watershed Partnership have been working for many years to plant greenbreaks using native species but we have far to go,” said Pauline Sato, Mālama Learning Center executive director. “Our 2024 Green Firebreaks Campaign will ramp up our efforts to teach about greenbreaks and engage more people in growing them in our communities.”
In 2022, First Insurance Company of Hawaii (FICOH) initiated a tree-planting partnership with Mālama Learning Center, consisting of a $75,000 donation over three years and a series of community workdays powered by FICOH volunteers. To date, FICOH volunteers have removed invasive grasses and planted 385 native plants and shrubs at Palehua, on the southern slopes of the Wai‘anae mountains, under Mālama Learning Center’s stewardship, including 85 plants during their most recent volunteer workday on Saturday, February 3.
“We’ve learned so much from Mālama Learning Center over the course of our young partnership,” said Janis Kushimi, VP of Human Resources at First Insurance. “We are proud to support the work they and their partners are doing to address the effects of climate change and build West O‘ahu’s resilience for future generations.”
About Greenbreaks and how planting them can prevent future wildfires
There has been a lot of discussion about preventing wildfires since the Maui disaster. Around the Waiʻanae mountains, the fire threat is particularly severe for several reasons:
- Hawaii's climate is getting hotter and drier in leeward areas.
- Fire season is now year-round.
- Highly flammable invasive grasses and shrubs are rampant.
- The area burned in our islands each year has increased by 300% in the past decade.
Mālama Learning Center’s plan to increase greenbreaks on Leeward Oʻahu
Mālama Learning Center is working to establish a network of Leeward school nurseries to grow suitable plants for greenbreaks. Once the plants from the school nurseries are ready to plant, Mālama Learning Center plans to engage Leeward volunteers, landowners, and students in creating demonstration greenbreaks with these plants.
Community members can learn more about how to volunteer or donate to the greenbreaks campaign at https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTg5MjMw.
About Mālama Learning Center
Since its inception in 2004, Mālama Learning Center has worked to unify schools, residents, and businesses in West Oʻahu through education that incorporates art, science, conservation, and culture. Mālama Learning Center uses a hands-on approach to learning, preparing its participants for diverse real-world experiences and 21st century careers.
For more information, visit www.malamalearningcenter.org.
About First Insurance Company of Hawaii
Founded in 1911, First Insurance Company of Hawaii, Ltd. is the oldest and largest property and casualty insurer domiciled in Hawaii, with assets of $699.1 million, liabilities of $430.4 million, and policyholders’ surplus of $268.7 million as of December 31, 2022.
First Insurance, a member of the Tokio Marine North America (TMNA) group of companies, enjoys an “A+” rating from A.M. Best Co. Proud of its broadly experienced, service-oriented staff, First Insurance employs more than 250 insurance professionals and distributes its products through 26 independent general agencies. First Insurance was awarded the American Heart Association’s Workplace Health Gold Achievement for 2022. In 2023, First Insurance was named one of Hawaii’s Best Places to Work in the "large company" category by Hawaii Business magazine.
First Insurance supports many local organizations through monetary donations made at the corporate level, by its associates and the First Insurance Foundation. Its charitable giving focuses on four areas: 1) family, social services and health care; 2) education and career development; 3) environment and sustainability; and 4) civic, culture and the arts.