{"id":"us-hi","slug":"hawaii","name":"Hawaii","license":"CC-BY-4.0","placeNode":"/places/us-hi.json","construction":{"reviewStatus":"none","applications":[],"localApplications":[],"requirements":[],"sources":[{"title":"Hawaii Building Code Rules","url":"https://ags.hawaii.gov/bcc/building-code-rules/","publisher":"Hawaii State Building Code Council / Department of Accounting and General Services","sourceType":"official","accessedOn":"2026-08-26T00:00:00.000Z"}]},"localAuthorities":[],"claims":{"exact":[{"id":"guide:why-the-hawaii-fire-plant-question-is-upside-down:3","anchor":"local-us-hi-why-the-hawaii-fire-plant-question-is-upside-down-3","place":"Hawaii Invasive Species Council, fountain grass","placeId":"us-hi","scopeKind":"place","scopeMode":"descendants","scopeRef":null,"claim":"Cenchrus setaceus, formerly Pennisetum setaceum, is on the Hawaii Noxious Weed List (HAR 68). Hawaiʻi Pacific Weed Risk Assessment: High Risk. Weed Fire Risk Score = 0.99 (likely a high fire risk in Hawaiʻi). Native to Africa; introduced as an ornamental; escaped by 1914. Fire-adapted and fire-promoting. Burning is not recommended as the grass grows back rapidly following fire. Do not plant fountain grass for landscaping. Remove it if found on your property; doing so in widespread areas can help create a firebreak.","asOf":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z","object":{"kind":"guide","id":"why-the-hawaii-fire-plant-question-is-upside-down","title":"Why the Hawaii fire-plant question is upside-down","url":"/guides/why-the-hawaii-fire-plant-question-is-upside-down/"},"source":{"title":"Fountain grass (Cenchrus setaceus)","url":"https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/fountain-grass-2024/","publisher":"Hawaii Invasive Species Council","sourceType":"official","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"}},{"id":"guide:why-the-hawaii-fire-plant-question-is-upside-down:1","anchor":"local-us-hi-why-the-hawaii-fire-plant-question-is-upside-down-1","place":"Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization homeowner guide","placeId":"us-hi","scopeKind":"place","scopeMode":"descendants","scopeRef":null,"claim":"Invasive vegetation such as guinea and fountain grass spread easily and rapidly, ignite easily, and after fire re-sprout and outcompete native plants, spreading over a larger area. That creates a vicious fire cycle. Did you know: 18% of the state land cover is nonnative grassland. Zone One extends 30 feet from buildings. Create a fire-free area within 5 feet of the home using non-flammable landscaping materials and/or high-moisture content, drought-resistant vegetation. Cut or mow annual grass to a maximum height of 4 inches. Invasive grasses such as guinea and fountain grass grow rapidly when unmanaged and can dry out very quickly, creating a major fire hazard. Weed them often and consider replanting with low-lying, drought-tolerant, native ground cover.","asOf":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z","object":{"kind":"guide","id":"why-the-hawaii-fire-plant-question-is-upside-down","title":"Why the Hawaii fire-plant question is upside-down","url":"/guides/why-the-hawaii-fire-plant-question-is-upside-down/"},"source":{"title":"Your Personal Wildland Fire Action Guide (Hawaii)","url":"https://fire.honolulu.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/HWMO-Your-Personal-Wildland-Fire-Protection-Guide.pdf","publisher":"Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization (hosted by Honolulu Fire Department)","sourceType":"official","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"}},{"id":"guide:why-the-hawaii-fire-plant-question-is-upside-down:2","anchor":"local-us-hi-why-the-hawaii-fire-plant-question-is-upside-down-2","place":"Hawaii Invasive Species Council, invasive grasses","placeId":"us-hi","scopeKind":"place","scopeMode":"descendants","scopeRef":null,"claim":"The frequency of wildfires in the Hawaiian Islands has increased by 400% over the last century. Less rainfall and severe drought, along with introduction and unmanaged growth of non-native grasses, have contributed. Fountain grass (Cenchrus setaceus) and guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) are listed among the most invasive, habitat-modifying, potentially fire-promoting grasses, both tagged High Fire Hazard; Ecosystem Modifier. An estimate of over 25% of the islands are now covered by non-native grasses. The list is non-regulatory. Under severe conditions any vegetation can burn.","asOf":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z","object":{"kind":"guide","id":"why-the-hawaii-fire-plant-question-is-upside-down","title":"Why the Hawaii fire-plant question is upside-down","url":"/guides/why-the-hawaii-fire-plant-question-is-upside-down/"},"source":{"title":"Invasive Grasses in Hawaii and their Impacts","url":"https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/info/species/invasive-grasses-in-hawaii-and-their-impacts/","publisher":"Hawaii Invasive Species Council","sourceType":"official","accessedOn":"2026-08-25T00:00:00.000Z"}}],"local":[]},"placeFocusedGuides":[],"findings":[],"plants":{"grain":"state","total":227,"nativeDocumented":0,"invasiveOrNoxiousFlagged":176,"fireResistant":69,"keepAway":40,"conflicts":2,"page":"/grow/hawaii/"},"fireEvidencePublicationScope":{"answerGrain":"no-typed-local-source","sourceCount":0}}