New $2 Million Gift Supports UHERO Research on Wildfire Risk and Land Management

UHERO will play a central role in a new, $2 million research effort funded by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos examining how land-use decisions can reduce wildfire risk across Hawai’i. Researchers at UHERO, ISR, and NREM will examine the costs and benefits of transitioning high-risk lands across the state toward safer and more productive uses, including reforestation, agroforestry, managed grazing, and diversified agriculture. The research will evaluate not only wildfire risk reduction but also impacts on food production, cultural value, environmental outcomes, and long-term community resilience.

https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2026/02/03/lahainaluna-scholarships-bezos-donation/