VIDEO: The transfer of Lahaina wildfire debris from the Temporary Debris Storage site (TDS) in Olowalu to the Permanent Disposal Site (PDS) in Central Maui is approximately 64% complete. This comes approximately two months after the start of the estimated five-month operation. Lt. Col. Adrian Biggerstaff of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced that the operation had passed the halfway point at 53% complete, during the Lahaina Community Meeting held on Aug. 13.
As of Aug. 22, the completion percentage was at 64%. โOur debris mission is going very smoothly, we appreciate all your support over the last two months,โ Biggerstaff told community members at the meeting. โIf you know someone hauling the debris, please thank them, give them a big mahalo because theyโre doing amazing work for us and the community.โ
The transfer of approximately 400,000 tons of debris from the 2023 Lahaina wildfire began June 16, and is led by USACE. The effort is coordinated with the County of Maui, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Hawaii Department of Health and Department of Transportation.
Mayor Richard Bissen thanked federal and state partners for their diligent work in carrying out the debris transfer. โWe especially appreciate the continued patience and understanding of our residents and visitors as we transfer the debris safely and respectfully,โ Mayor Bissen said.
Transport continues daily during daylight hours; however, transport operations may be paused on Sundays for equipment maintenance and to allow drivers and staff at the TDS and PDS facilities to rest.
