Maui Wildfires

Maui is a culturally and geographically unique part of the United States. EPA is on Maui as part of a multi-agency emergency response to the wildfires that occurred 2023, working under mission assignments from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). As EPA works to support the recovery, agency staff and contractors have attended cultural training collaboratively developed by non-profit, government (Office of the Mayor), and community leaders (Kumu Hōkūlani Holt). EPA has consulted with local residents throughout its work regarding historic, cultural, and archaeological considerations.

Background

On August 8, 2023, high winds and dry weather caused wildfires to develop in Lāhainā, Upper Kula, Upper Makawao and Olinda on the island of Maui. These wildfires affected approximately 1,550 parcels, 2,200 structures and were one of the deadliest U.S. wildfires in at least the past 100 years.

EPA personnel worked with federal, state, and local government partners on response and recovery efforts. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) tasked EPA with addressing hazardous material removal, water infrastructure technical assistance, and sustainability assistance during the recovery process.

Wahikuli Subdivision Sewer Design Project

EPA has started work on the Wahikuli Subdivision sewer design project, north of Lahaina Town, Maui. EPA’s Wahikuli Sewer Design Team participated in the "Weekly Disaster Recovery Community Update Meeting" on September 25, 2024, to provide an overview of the project to the community and key stakeholders and explain how the public can provide input.

EPA’s Wahikuli Sewer Design Team also conducted an onsite visit of the Wahikuli Subdivision on September 26, 2024.

This initiative comes in response to a request from the County of Maui on January 13, 2024, for FEMA technical assistance. Through a FEMA Mission Assignment, EPA was asked to provide support with planning and designing a proposed gravity sewer system for the Wahikuli subdivision, which comprises approximately 230 properties currently serviced by individual wastewater systems, including cesspools and septic systems.

The scope of work for this project includes:

• Conducting an environmental review, including cultural and biological consultations, and seeking public input on the proposed project.
• Drafting pre-construction design, with public input opportunities, and engineering plans to 100% completion following the environmental review.
• Holding regular meetings with the County of Maui and providing periodic public updates via the weekly County of Maui Disaster Recovery Community Update Meeting throughout the project period.

Environmental Assessment Pre-Assessment Consultation Underway

As part of the Environmental Assessment being conducted for the Wahikuli Subdivision Gravity Sewer System Project, EPA and County of Maui are seeking input from residents and other interested parties on environmental, cultural, and design aspects of the project. Pre-assessment consultation letters and a project description have been mailed to a distribution list that has been created for the project. These materials are also accessible at Maui Recovers.

Comments are being accepted until November 29, 2024, and can be submitted via email at [email protected] or mail using the following address:

Jarrett Brown
AECOM Technical Services, Inc.
1001 Bishop Street, Suite 1600
Honolulu, HI 96813

There will also be an opportunity to comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment that will be published in the coming months.

Hazardous Materials Removal: Completed

The EPA hazardous material removal team completed its work on December 21, 2023. EPA crews removed more than 200 tons of hazardous materials from 1,400-plus properties in fire-impacted areas. After hazardous materials were removed, a soil stabilizer was applied to prevent ash and debris from migrating off properties due to surface water run off or wind. Additionally, more than 30 tons of lithium batteries from 94 electric and hybrid vehicles and 274 power walls were safely collected from the impacted area and shipped off Maui for recycling.

Water Infrastructure: Completed

EPA deployed Water Emergency Team (WET) members to provide on-the-ground guidance and technical assistance for stormwater, wastewater, and drinking water for the County of Maui. EPA continues to actively support the County’s Departments of Public Works, Environmental Management, and Water Supply.

Sustainability Assistance

EPA received a mission assignment, from FEMA, for a long-term recovery Sustainability Advisor to assist in rebuilding communities and restoring watersheds with the aim of building resilience to future climate change impacts and disasters. The Sustainability Advisor is collaborating with local and state departments and federal agencies to understand local priorities and identify potential funding sources for long-term recovery.

Additional Resources

FEMA has established a website with current wildfire disaster information and resources. The page features response and recovery information and serves as the platform for related information from the Department of Homeland Security.

Please see EPA and Partner Resources Related to the Maui Wildfires for additional online information.

• Water Infrastructure Repair and Recovery: Completed

  

  EPA deployed Water Emergency Team (WET) members to provide on-the-ground guidance and technical assistance for stormwater, wastewater, and drinking water for the County of Maui. EPA continues to actively support the County’s Departments of Public Works, Environmental Management, and Water Supply.

  Maui Water Infrastructure

• Hazardous Materials Removal: Completed

  

  EPA surveyed, removed, and disposed of hazardous materials from properties affected by the wildfires in Lāhainā and Kula.

  Hazardous Materials Removal

• Maui Wildfires Story Map

  

  See our Story Map for maps, photos, progress metrics and more.

  See our Story Map

• EPA and Partner Resources

  

  Find resources from EPA and our federal, state and local partners related to cleanup, air quality, and debris management.

  EPA and Partner Resources

• Video Gallery

  

  See videos about EPA's work that supported response and recovery on Maui.

  View the Video Gallery