Helping Waikoloa Village fight wildfires

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Two firefighters test the new fire protection standpipes. (COURTESY PHOTO/HWS)
Hawaii Water System’s General Manager Tony Carrasco, utility operator Emiliano Verdusco, General Superintendent Hana Giltner and utility operator Troy Caravalho stand with Fire Captain Mike Grace and fire equipment operator Keoki Lindsey at the new fire protection standpipes recently installed in Waikoloa Village. (COURTESY PHOTO/HWS)
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WAIKOLOA VILLAGE — In response to wildfires, including one in August that burned nearly 18,000 acres of land just above Waikoloa Village, Hawaii Water Service (HWS) reached out to the County Fire Department to offer installation of new fire protection standpipes along an easement that sits between the village residents and dry open space.

On Sept. 20, HWS poured the concrete, installed pipes they donated and put together Google maps of the location. Once completed, HWS presented it to the fire department.