The County of Maui and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced the completion of fire debris removal from commercial properties in Lahaina, Maui. The clearance was finished ahead of the February 26, deadline, allowing businesses to begin the reconstruction process, according to the County of Maui.
The County of Maui has cleared 148 commercial lots in Lahaina, allowing property owners to apply for building permits. This follows the removal of debris from 1,538 residential and commercial properties affected by the August 2023 wildfires. Soil sampling and erosion control measures will be completed on the last two commercial lots to meet environmental standards. Mayor Richard Bissen said, "The completion of debris removal from Lahaina's commercial properties marks another critical milestone in our community's recovery," and added, "This milestone not only paves the way for rebuilding businesses but also restores hope for owners, workers and families who depend on them."
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will start moving nearly 400,000 tons of debris from the West Maui Temporary Disposal Storage site to the Central Maui Landfill in June 2025. The process is expected to take about five months. The Central Maui Landfill is under construction, with the first phase scheduled for completion by March 17. Mayor Bissen said, "We are fully committed to ensuring that the debris is moved from the temporary site to the permanent disposal site as quickly and safely as possible," and added, "Our partnership with federal agencies is critical in making this happen efficiently." The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will also work with the U.S. Navy to remove concrete pilings along Front Street, a project expected to take up to three months later this year, as reported by the County of Maui.
