The transfer of Lahaina wildfire debris from the Temporary Debris Storage site (TDS) in Olowalu to the Permanent Disposal Site (PDS) in Central Maui is approximately 64 percent complete, approximately two months after the start of the estimated five-month operation.

Lt. Col. Adrian Biggerstaff of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced that the operation had passed the halfway point -- at 53 percent complete -- during the Lahaina Community Meeting held on Aug. 13, 2025, at the Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria. As of Aug. 22, the completion percentage was at 64 percent.

“Our debris mission is going very smoothly, we appreciate all your support over the last two months,” Biggerstaff told community members at the meeting. “If you know someone hauling the debris, please thank them, give them a big mahalo because they’re doing amazing work for us and the community.”

The transfer of approximately 400,000 tons of debris from the 2023 Lahaina wildfire began June 16, 2025, and is led by USACE. The effort is coordinated with the County of Maui, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Hawai‘i Department of Health and Department of Transportation. All agencies involved are in regular communication to ensure the safe and effective completion of transport.

Mayor Richard Bissen thanked federal and state partners for their diligent work in carrying out the debris transfer.

“We especially appreciate the continued patience and understanding of our residents and visitors as we transfer the debris safely and respectfully,” Mayor Bissen said.

Transport continues daily during daylight hours; however, transport operations may be paused on Sundays for equipment maintenance and to allow drivers and staff at the TDS and PDS facilities to rest. Any Sunday work stoppages will occur at USACE’s discretion.

The use of the cane haul roads is authorized only for debris-hauling trucks unless otherwise communicated to the public, such as when the roads were opened for public use to alleviate traffic during the recent tsunami evacuation orders.

Motorists are reminded to drive safely and attentively along the haul route. For nonemergency concerns, motorists may call the USACE Debris Hotline at (877) 214-9117.

For more information on the debris transfer, visit www.mauirecovers.org/debristransfer.

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