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USACE reaches milestone in Hawaii wildfire debris removal mission

By Stacey ReeseApril 4, 2024

USACE reaches milestone in Hawai‘i wildfire debris removal mission
One of the 500 properties in Maui which the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cleared of wildfire debris by April 2. There were approximately 1,600 properties impacted by the wildfires Aug. 8, 2023. Once a property is cleared of debris, USACE staff will then test the soil to ensure it is safe. Once safe and erosion control installed, USACE staff notify County of Maui that the property is complete and ready to begin the rebuilding process.

(Photo by John Daves) (Photo Credit: Courtesy) VIEW ORIGINAL

HONOLULU — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cleared debris from the 500th residential property within Lahaina, Hawaii, April 2, 2024.

USACE officials started this portion of the debris removal mission Jan. 16, 2024. Since then, USACE has worked with Federal Emergency Management Agency, Environmental Protection Agency, state of Hawaii and Maui County to support the community during the debris recovery process.

There are approximately 1,600 properties impacted by the wildfires Aug. 8, 2023. USACE staff acknowledge the cultural significance of the areas and communities impacted by the Maui Wildfires, and, as a result, contracted a Cultural Hui, or team, of community leaders, cultural practitioners, architects and archaeology professionals to ensure the debris removal process respects the cultural significance of the community and its history. Native Hawaiian cultural advisors based in Maui are working alongside USACE debris teams and are taking the lead in efforts to protect the cultural heritage of Hawaii and its Native Hawaiian people throughout the process.

“We got this work done because the hands behind the tools were vested in the community and committed to delivering for their families, their neighbors, their neighborhoods and their community,” said Col. Eric Swenson, USACE recovery field office commander. “It has been a tremendous effort by the contractors and our fellow local, state and federal partners.”

USACE reaches milestone in Hawai‘i wildfire debris removal mission
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A contractor wearing a protective suit uses a rake to remove debris from a residence in Lahaina, Hawai‘i, Jan. 26. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency, Maui County, and the Environmental Protection Agency to remove debris from properties affected by the August 2023 wildfires on Maui. (Photo Credit: Brannen Parrish) VIEW ORIGINAL
USACE reaches milestone in Hawai‘i wildfire debris removal mission
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractors utilize equipment to move and separate metal debris at the Pioneer Mill collection site in West Maui, Feb. 24, 2024. USACE is overseeing the debris removal mission under a Federal Emergency Management Agency mission assignment, which is part of a coordinated effort with the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency, the County of Maui and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to clean up areas of the island affected by the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires.
(Photo Credit: John Daves) VIEW ORIGINAL

USACE staff also supported the EPA during phase 1 of the debris mission, which included months of site assessments, hazardous household material removal and bulk asbestos material removal. The process is nearly complete.

The phase 2 debris removal process includes dampening the debris with water before placing it in a truck that is wrapped in thick industrial plastic, and then sealed with an adhesive prior to transport to the temporary debris storage site. This method prevents debris and ash from becoming airborne during transport.

Once a property is cleared of debris, USACE staff will then test the soil to ensure it is safe. Once safe and erosion control installed, USACE staff notify County of Maui that the property is complete and ready to begin the rebuilding process.

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