#Haleakala fuel spill

The public comment period is open through Sept. 15 on the remediation project for a fuel spill that occurred at Haleakalā’s summit on Maui last year. A lightning strike occurred on Jan. 29, 2023, that resulted in the emergency generator fuel spill. Contractor personnel working on the Maui Space Surveillance Complex site discovered the leak […]

A year ago today, nearly 700 gallons of diesel fuel spilled at the Maui Space Surveillance Complex at Haleakalā’s summit. Since then Air Force reports its officials have worked with the Maui community and Native Hawaiian organizations to remediate the site.

A contract for Phase 2 excavation work has been awarded as remediation efforts continue at Haleakalā.  Officials with the Space Surveillance Squadron hosted a community forum this week to provide an update on the status of efforts at the Maui Space Surveillance Complex where a lightning strike and equipment malfunction resulted in the release of 700 gallons of fuel  at the facility in January. 

A community forum to discuss fuel spill recovery at the Maui Space Surveillance Complex takes place Wednesday, April 26 at 5 p.m. at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College Ka’a’ike room 144 in Kahului.

Workers removed approximately 43 sacks of soil estimated at 84,000 pounds, replacing it with soil gathered at a nearby site. The soil removed is being safely stored at the summit of Haleakalā until a remediation plan is approved in Phase 3.

The Haʻikū Community Association hosts its 2023 annual meeting on Wednesday, March 15, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Haʻikū Community Center.

Excavation for cleanup of the Haleakalā fuel spill site began March 2, 2023, at the Maui Space Surveillance Complex following approval of a work plan. The Pacific Air Forces reports the excavation was delayed due to inclement weather at the summit.

A contract has been secured to excavate the contaminated soil around a generator at the summit of Haleakalā where an estimated 700 gallons of diesel fuel spilled at the Maui Space Surveillance Complex late last month. A Pentagon official flew in to Maui on Wednesday, apologizing for the incident, and expressing embarrassment by the fact that it occurred. Full story by Wendy Osher at mauinow.com.

The US Space Force finalized a contract with CKM Cultural Resources Feb. 14 to provide a cultural advisor and monitor in support of the remediation project atop Haleakalā following a fuel spill at the site.

Brigadier General Anthony Mastalir, commander of the US Space Forces Indo-Pacific, said equipment failed in a “catastrophic way,” and said a power surge during severe weather reported last weekend, was a likely contributing factor.