The Hawaiʻi National Guard deployed a UH-60 Blackhawk and a CH-47 Chinook to assist the Honolulu Fire Department with the Kunia Road fire. The helicopters have conducted water drops, releasing nearly 50,000 gallons onto the fire, according to the Office of the Governor.
The Hawaiʻi National Guard said it made 35 water drops releasing more than 80,000 gallons as part of Operation Hoʻopauahi. The initiative, authorized by Governor Josh Green on July 18, keeps a CH-47F Chinook helicopter crew ready to respond quickly to wildfires across the state, as reported by the Office of the Governor.
Officials said a decision is still pending on whether the Hawaiʻi National Guard will continue support into a third day. The Guard and the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency are working with Honolulu’s Department of Emergency Management, the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, U.S. Army Garrison Hawaiʻi, and the Federal Fire Department to help with firefighting efforts, as stated by the Office of the Governor.
