HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The U.S. Army has denied allegations that its prescribed burns amplified flood damage from the recent Kona lows.
On Wednesday, in response to community concerns, an Army spokesperson said in a statement that they have not conducted prescribed burns on Mount Kaala or the Schofield Barracks West Range since April 2025, and there is no evidence linking the risk-reduction efforts to the current flooding or sediment movement.
Officials said the rainfall exceeded natural drainage capacity and caused rapid runoff and erosion on the steep slopes above Waialua. The slopes are not owned or managed by the Army, and the U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii does not conduct land-disturbing activities on those mountainsides…