A combined 79-acre site has been proposed as the permanent location for the Lahaina wildfire debris and future waste. The parcels are owned by Nan Inc., whose owner is Nan Chul Shin. Courtesy photo

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen has announced a plan to use 79 acres of former quarry land next to the Central Maui Landfill for the disposal of debris from the August 2023 wildfires and other future waste.

The proposal includes $4 million in agreements, pending approval by the Maui County Council. A temporary debris storage area has been located at Olowalu.

Residents and environmentalists have testified against making Olowalu a permanent site because of the impact on a nearby reef and its proximity to residences.

The agreement calls for a Nan Inc. subsidiary to provide the county with 49 acres of former quarried land and 30 acres of land currently being quarried. The 30 acres of land would be available upon completion of quarrying activities.

According to the county, community members voiced strong support for designating the Central Maui Landfill as the permanent disposal site for disaster debris.

“The acquisition of these properties enables us to secure a final disposal site for the wildfire debris and also provides years of additional landfill capacity, strengthening our community’s resilience,” Bissen said. “We are grateful for Nan Inc.’s willingness to offer the land at a fair price, helping us address pressing recovery needs and meet the long-term needs of our island and its people.”

The county Department of Environmental Management is preparing to initiate the design and construction of the permanent site for disaster debris disposal and future waste.

“This land provides us with decades of potential landfill capacity, ensuring we have the space to handle waste sustainably in the future,” said Shane Agawa, director of the department.

Founded in Honolulu in 1990, Nan Inc. specializes in preconstruction, general contracting and design-build construction in Hawai’i.

In November 2023, Alexander & Baldwin Inc. sold the Grace Disposal Group, including A&B Quarries of Maui, to Nan Inc. for $57.5 million, according to information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. At that time, Nan Inc. declared it had 1.78 billion in assets.

The firm has been involved in a number of large projects including the $15.4 million expansion and improvement of the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Complex, home of the Rainbow Warrior football team, and the $78.9 million Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home in Kapolei.

Nan Inc. owner Nan Chul Shin said his firm was happy to support Maui’s recovery.

“We recognized the importance of this property for Maui’s recovery efforts,” he said. “I’m happy I could provide a solution.”