Wildfire Home Assessments

How it works

HWMO offers two related home assessment pathways on this page. On Kauaʻi, the County of Kauaʻi and HWMO provide free, one-hour educational wildfire home assessments for residential properties through December 31, 2026. On Oʻahu, Maui Nui, and Hawaiʻi Island, HWMO runs a volunteer-based Wildfire Home Assessment Program for homeowners, but requests are temporarily paused while assessor training continues and previously submitted requests are processed.

During an assessment, trained assessors walk around the property with the homeowner, identify wildfire risks, answer questions, and provide personalized recommendations to help the household better prepare for wildfire. The page emphasizes that this is a voluntary educational service, not a code inspection.

What the money covers

This is a free service rather than a cash grant. The page does not describe reimbursement, direct payments, or materials purchases. It does say the assessment report gives homeowners a roadmap toward a more wildfire-ready home and property.

Amounts and matching

The assessments are free for Hawaiʻi homeowners living in an area where a trained assessor is available, until grant funds are exhausted. No match or copay is stated.

How to apply

For Kauaʻi residents, the page directs homeowners to book an appointment through the online calendar. If available times do not work, the Planning Department can be contacted at 808-241-4050 or planningdepartment@kauai.gov for alternate scheduling. The page says to enter a phone number and email so assessors can reach the homeowner, and the email will be used to send the personalized report.

For Oʻahu, Maui Nui, and Hawaiʻi Island residents, homeowners are told the request form is temporarily paused and will reopen after current assessments are completed.

Timing and deadlines

Kauaʻi assessments are offered through December 31, 2026. Appointment times listed are Monday–Friday at 8:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m., plus Saturday at 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. If a date or time is not shown in the booking calendar, it has already been reserved.