DEBRIS TRANSFER UPDATE

As of July 7, 2025, 18% of nonhazardous Lahaina wildfire debris has been transferred from the Temporary Debris Storage (TDS) site at Olowalu to the Permanent Disposal Site (PDS) adjacent to the Central Maui Landfill in Puʻunēnē, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). As of today, July 7, 2025, the number of trucks transporting the debris is fluctuating between 50 and 70 per day under normal working conditions. However, the number may be adjusted based on weather and traffic conditions.

TRAFFIC

In response to traffic concerns from the public last week, flaggers are having fewer trucks travel together at the same time through the intersection of the cane haul road and Pūlehu Road. For the cane haul road area near Maui Veterans Highway, the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) has modified traffic signals and is continuing to monitor traffic.

BACKGROUND

Trucks carrying nonhazardous Lahaina wildfire debris began transport operations from the TDS to PDS June 16.

A portion of the approximately 19-mile primary hauling route is using former cane haul roads to minimize the impact on traffic. From the temporary site, trucks are traveling along Honoapiʻilani Highway (HI-30) from Olowalu to Māʻalaea, then turning onto Kūihelani Highway (HI-380) before utilizing the cane haul roads from Waikō Road to the PDS. Unauthorized vehicles are not allowed on the cane haul roads.

The County of Maui is working in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), USACE, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), HDOT and Hawaiʻi Department of Health to trasfer the debris, which is approximately 400,000 tons or the equivalent of about five football fields, five stories high.

Full background information is available at https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=17507.

INFORMATION

More information, including Frequently Asked Questions, a map of the hauling route and the TDS-PDS Transfer & Closure Plan, is available at www.MauiRecovers.org/debristransfer. The USACE Debris Hotline is (877) 214-9117.