Maui County has made progress in recovering from the Lahaina Wildfires by reaching a conditional agreement with a Nan, Inc. subsidiary to secure a new long-term debris disposal site. The agreement, which needs Maui County Council approval, involves purchasing 49 acres of post-quarry land and 30 acres of active quarry space for $4 million, located next to the already overcrowded Central Maui Landfill, as per Maui Recovers.
Due to the urgent need for more space, Maui County abandoned its plans to acquire 20 acres through an eminent domain from Komar Maui Properties. Mayor Richard Bissen stated, "The acquisition of these properties enables us to secure a final disposal site for the wildfire debris and also provides years of additional landfill capacity, strengthening our community’s resilience," in an Island News report. The land purchase will not only serve as a site for wildfire debris but also help Maui improve waste management and prepare for future environmental challenges.
The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is accelerating the development of the new disposal site, as stated by DEM Director Shayne Agawa. He emphasized that the land acquisition is key to providing decades of landfill capacity and will also support improvements in recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy programs.
Nan, Inc., a local construction company founded in 1990, expressed its support for the agreement through owner Nan Chul Shin, who said to Maui Recovers, "We recognized the importance of this property for Maui’s recovery efforts. We are grateful to contribute to Lahaina’s recovery and to support Maui’s future needs with this agreement, creating a positive outcome for both the community and the environment. We also appreciate our tenant’s support and cooperation in support of the County’s efforts to achieve this outcome."
