USACE Completes Residential Debris Removal in Lahaina, Commercial Properties 64% Cleared

News Release from US Army Corps of Engineers Sept 25, 2024

FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with federal, state, and local agencies, has completed debris removal from all residential properties devastated by the August 2023 wildfires in Lahaina. The milestone marks the return of 1,390 completed residential properties to the County of Maui. Property owners are now able to apply for building permits as part of the next phase in the rebuilding process.

While debris and ash had been cleared from the last residential lots in late August, soil sampling and erosion control measures had to be implemented to ensure environmental safety before transferring the properties back to the County.

USACE Recovery Field Office Commander, Lt. Col. Collin Jones, highlighted the significance of the milestone.

“This marks a major step forward for Lahaina’s recovery,” said Jones. “We are proud to have completed the residential debris removal ahead of schedule, but the collective effort continues as we focus on clearing commercial properties and helping this community rebuild.”

The focus now shifts to the ongoing commercial debris removal, which is currently 64% complete. So far, 102 commercial properties have been cleared of debris, with 72 out of 159 commercial properties completed and returned to the County of Maui. Completion of commercial property debris removal is forecasted to be early 2025.

As USACE transitions its operations to fully focus on commercial properties, residents can expect reduced cleanup activity, fewer trucks transporting debris to the Temporary Disposal Site in west Maui, and less traffic related to cleanup activities in and around Lahaina.

The TDS will receive fewer debris shipments as well, and tonnage accumulated will be reported weekly instead of daily. Traffic control measures, including the signal on Honoapiilani Highway, will remain in place to ensure trucks safely cross the highway, though with much less frequency.

Site preparation for the Kilohana Temporary Housing site is on track to complete by the end of October. The Fleming Road Sewer project is slated to be complete in early December, ensuring critical infrastructure is in place to support the temporary housing.

For ongoing updates, residents can attend the Weekly Disaster Recovery Community update meetings at the Civic Center or visit the MauiRecovers website for more information.

For additional information, please contact the USACE Hawaii Wildfires Public Affairs Office at (808) 835-4062 or hawaiifiresmedia@usace.army.mil.

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Debris cleared from 100 percent of residential properties in Lahaina Impact Zone

Rebuilding occurring on 20 residential properties, work continuing on commercial properties

News Release from Maui County Mayor, Sept 11, 2024

Months ahead of the original January 2025 deadline, debris has been cleared from 100 percent of 1,390 residential properties in the Lahaina Impact Zone.

The last few residential properties, including The Spinnaker apartment complex, were cleared at the end of August, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“Thatʻs a huge, huge milestone and accomplishment,” said Lt. Col. Collin Jones, Hawaiʻi Wildfires Recovery Field Office commander for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, at the County of Maui Disaster Recovery Community Update Meeting on Aug. 28.

A year ago, it was anticipated that it might take two to three years before rebuilding started in Lahaina.

Now, 1,342 of 1,390 cleared residential lots also completed so rights of entry have been returned to the county and those property owners can apply for building permits. Rebuilding has started on 20 properties. 

“With each lot cleared and new foundation poured, a sense of hope is gaining momentum throughout Lahaina town,” said Mayor Richard Bissen. “The progress has happened more quickly than we thought. We’re thankful for the crucial and expedited work done by our federal partners, along with our hardworking County crews, so our residents can begin to rebuild their homes and lives.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has assigned the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to oversee debris removal in coordination with the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and County of Maui.

Work to clear debris is continuing on 68 commercial properties in Lahaina.

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