In conjunction with a State request for assistance, EPA was tasked to conduct Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection and disposal to protect public health and safety in communities impacted by Maui Wildfires. HHW included but was not limited to paints, solvents, pesticides, batteries, propane tanks, and bulk asbestos-containing materials (ACM). In December, 2023 USEPA shipped a total of 253 tons of HHM and bulk ACM associated with USEPA Phase 1 operations off-island, including hazardous materials from US Coast Guard (USCG) Lahaina Harbor vessel removal operations, as well as 30 tons of deconstructed Lithium-Ion batteries from power walls and electric vehicles. As USACE is also participating in hazardous material removal efforts, they have shipped a total of 4 tons of HHM and bulk ACM and will continue to ship these materials off-island throughout their debris management mission.
Also in conjunction with a state request for assistance, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) was tasked with the mission to directly support the Maui County Consolidated Debris Removal Program in the affected communities. Objectives of this mission include both: 1. Reducing immediate threats to public health and safety, and 2. Expediting economic recovery of the affected communities. To that end, these efforts will involve the removal of ash, burned home remains, hazardous materials, foundations, asbestos containing materials (ACM), vehicles, vessels, contaminated soil, and debris from commercial properties. Property Rights of Entry (ROEs) are required for USACE to conduct this phase of fire debris management. Those who decide to opt out of this government program will have to hire their own contractors at the owner’s expense.