A major controversy has erupted on Hawaii's Big Island after a landowner repeatedly staged festivals inspired by the famous Burning Man event without securing the necessary permits. Andrew Tepper, owner of a vast 14,000-acre property in Pāpaʻikou near Hilo, now faces significant fines and an uncertain future for his 'Falls on Fire' gatherings.
From Inspiration to Violation
Inspired by his time as a volunteer regional contact for Burning Man in Pennsylvania, Andrew Tepper sought to create a similar spiritual and communal experience on his lush Hawaiian land. He launched the inaugural Falls on Fire event in November 2023, attracting roughly 100 attendees for a three-day retreat featuring art, educational seminars, and a symbolic burning of a wooden effigy.
However, the Hawaii County Planning Department, inundated with complaints, quickly discovered Tepper did not possess the required permits for the festival. He was issued a violation notice and fines, and was ordered to remove all advertisements for a planned 2024 event. Defying this order, Tepper proceeded to host the 2024 festival anyway in November, with around 180 people attending. This resulted in accumulated fines totalling $34,000 for violations including illegal camping, amplified music, and advertising on unpermitted land.
A Clash of Cultures and Community
The situation has deeply divided local opinion and drawn criticism from established Burning Man representatives in Hawaii. Andrew Cuniberti, who founded the first official Hawaii regional Burning Man group in 2002, accuses Tepper of damaging the movement's reputation by ignoring community guidelines and proper procedures.
"He doesn't really want to involve the local Hawaiian community, doesn't really want to involve the local Burning Man community," Cuniberti stated. "We kept telling him, stop saying [it's a Burning Man event], you're gonna ruin it for everybody."
At a pivotal Planning Commission hearing in Hilo on November 13, residents voiced strong opposition. Concerns ranged from the event's perceived misalignment with Hawaiian culture to practical issues like waste disposal, noise pollution, and wildfire risks. Pāpaʻikou resident Sunny Arashiro argued the festival would tarnish the area's peaceful reputation.
Conversely, supporters defended Tepper's vision, describing Falls on Fire as a small, family-style gathering focused on community, art, and the 'leave no trace' principle. Attendee Misti Jones emphasised the 2024 event did not include any burning and was committed to leaving the land better than they found it.
Permit Pursuit and an Uncertain Future
In a bid to legitimise the festival, Tepper hired a planning company in September 2024 to apply for a special permit allowing an annual event for up to 500 people. Despite county warnings not to hold the 2024 gathering until permit approval, it went ahead.
Facing his permit hearing after the planned dates for a 2025 event, Tepper publicly cancelled the festival. Instead, he held a 'private family-style gathering' on his land on the advertised dates of November 7-9, 2024. Tepper has stated he will pay the outstanding fines if granted a permit for future events.
The Hawaii County Planning Commission must now decide the fate of Falls on Fire. A decision on whether to approve the multi-day festival is required by February 11. The outcome will determine if Tepper's vision of a communal, Burning Man-inspired retreat can coexist with local regulations and community sensibilities on the pristine Hawaiian landscape.
