Hours extended for re-entry access into Lahaina Wildfire Disaster Area

News Release from County of Maui, April 5, 2024

The Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has extended hours for re-entry access into the Lahaina Wildfire Disaster zone to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The extension only applies to those entering the zone with a vehicle re-entry pass.

Access for contractors with placards continues to be during daylight hours.

For the 173 properties that were deferred during the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Phase 1 operations, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced it has begun its “Make-Safer” operation to address deferred properties that have opted in to the Consolidated Debris Removal Program and have a county-approved right-of-entry. Owners of deferred properties who have not submitted a right-of-entry will have their properties remain deferred for an undetermined period.

Deferred property owners who wish to opt in to the Consolidated Debris Removal Program can visit www.mauirecovers.org to submit a right-of-entry.

As part of the Make-Safer operation, USACE will identify and remove preliminary structural hazards before re-entry is allowed.

Property owners will receive a courtesy call from USACE to inform them that Make-Safer operations will begin for their property. After the courtesy call, USACE will begin Phase 1 household hazardous material removal for the property and address any hazardous site assessment issues.

Once Make-Safer operations are completed for a property, USACE will contact the property owner to allow them to participate in re-entry before Phase 2 Debris Removal operations begin. Re-entry activities, such as sifting, may be restricted due to safety concerns. USACE will communicate directly with the owners if any restrictions are in place prior to re-entry. If property owners choose to participate in re-entry, they must obtain a re-entry vehicle pass from the County to access their property.

After re-entry is complete, or if an owner foregoes re-entry, USACE will begin Phase 2 Debris Removal operations.

Re-entry vehicle pass applications and on-site distribution is available at the Lahaina Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Optional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits and instructions for usage will be available during vehicle pass distribution. A re-entry vehicle pass allows vehicle access to the designated property daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Information on documents that may be used to verify property ownership or residency to receive a re-entry vehicle pass is available at www.mauirecovers.org/reentry or visit the Lahaina DRC to speak to a MEMA representative.

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MN: Hours extended for access into Lahaina Wildfire Disaster Area