High school students and volunteers remove dozens of abandoned vehicles on Kauai

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Dozens of high school students and volunteers removed more than 30 abandoned vehicles Thursday as part of a community effort to reduce wildfire risk in Kauai’s Anahola region.

The initiative, called “Heavy Impact,” was organized by local nonprofit ‘Āina Alliance and marked the one-year anniversary of a 12-acre wildfire that forced the evacuation of homes in the area and burned nearly 70 abandoned vehicles.

Participating students had the opportunity to interact with heavy machinery and learn from skilled operators while cleaning up junk cars.

“This is our first attempt to involve kids in the heavy equipment work required for firefighting and removal of flammable fuels,” said Anahola farmer and Kauai County fire captain Jeremie Makepa.

“Essentially, it was left to us as a gift that this generation will begin to clean up the area and that will develop their love and passion for the community and forest fire prevention.”

The area was once prone to illegal dumping and other criminal activity, and more than 300 vehicles were abandoned. More than 100 fires have been reported in this area in recent years.

Abandoned vehicles can quickly cause fire and environmental damage if they contain toxic substances such as fuels and oils that can leach into the ground.

In 2022, the nonprofit was granted a right-of-entry permit by the Hawaiian Homes Commission. This permit promotes the care and management of 432 acres of Hawaiian homeland along the Anahola shoreline.