Transport of Lahaina wildfire debris to start Monday, June 16

The transfer of Lahaina wildfire debris from the Olowalu Temporary Debris Storage (TDS) site to the Permanent Disposal Site (PDS) adjacent to the Central Maui Landfill in Puʻunēnē is set to begin June 16, following the completion of construction of the PDS.

While operations are ongoing, motorists traveling to and from West Maui are advised to plan for slower than usual traffic and to drive safely by not passing or tailgating debris-hauling trucks.

A portion of the approximately 19-mile primary hauling route will utilize former cane haul roads to minimize the impact on traffic. From the temporary site, trucks will travel along Honoapiʻilani Highway (HI-30) from Olowalu to Māʻalaea, then turn onto Kūihelani Highway (HI-380) before utilizing the cane haul roads from Waikō Road to the PDS. 

The County of Maui is in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, US Army Corps of Engineers, US Environmental Protection Agency, Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation and Hawaiʻi Department of Health to carry out the transport of approximately 400,000 tons of debris – the equivalent of about five football fields, five stories high.

Up to 50 trucks identified by “Lahaina Wildfire Debris” decals will make multiple round trips daily. Work will take place during daylight hours, seven days a week, for an estimated five months. For the safety of work crews at both sites, no night operations will occur.

“This is an important step in our recovery efforts and fulfills our promise to the residents of Olowalu that this debris storage would be temporary,” said Mayor Richard Bissen. “We appreciate the patience and understanding of our residents and visitors as we transfer Lahaina’s wildfire debris safely and respectfully.”

Temporary intersection improvements, traffic flaggers and signage on State and County roads will be used to enhance safety. Alternate routes have been identified along State and County roads for emergency hauling operations in the event of a temporary road closure.

The debris has been evaluated by the EPA, DOH and the County, and found to pose no public health risk in its transport and placement at the PDS. To mitigate direct exposure to workers and the public during debris handling and transport, debris will be lightly wetted for dust control before being loaded into trucks and wrapped in thick plastic sheeting. Dust monitoring stations will be located both at the TDS and downwind of the PDS.

“We are implementing rigorous protocols at every stage of the debris transport process, from Olowalu to Central Maui, that will help us get the job done safely and with the utmost respect for the Lahaina community,” said Lt. Col. Adrian Biggerstaff, District Commander for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu District. “The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is committed to safely and efficiently executing this critical phase of the recovery with our County, State and Federal partners.”

Debris cleared from 1,538 residential and commercial properties in Lahaina was temporarily stored at the TDS site in Olowalu, as the County worked to identify, acquire and construct a permanent site. With extensive input from the community, the County selected the Central Maui Landfill as the location for the PDS in February 2024. In December 2024, the County’s proposed acquisition of 79 acres – 14 of which will be used for the PDS – was approved by the Maui County Council.

The additional acreage is estimated to provide a decade of additional potential landfill capacity for the island’s future needs, while also supporting environmentally conscious waste management efforts.

The County Department of Environmental Management Solid Waste Division is overseeing the construction of the PDS.

More information, including Frequently Asked Questions, a map of the hauling route and the TDS-PDS Transfer & Closure Plan, is available at www.MauiRecovers.org/debristransfer. The USACE Debris Hotline is 877-214-9117.