This screenshot comes from a video produced by the Federal Management Emergency Management Agency, which is working to clear commercial properties of ash and debris in Lahaina from the August 2023 wildfires. Courtesy photo/FEMA

With residential properties cleared, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is shifting its attention to commercial properties in the effort to clear Lahaina of debris and ash from the wildfires on Aug. 8, 2023.

According to FEMA, debris removal has been one of the major challenges for residents, business owners and government agencies in the recovery process. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was assigned to clear residential and commercial debris after the fires, and debris and ash was reported cleared from all 1,390 residential properties by this August.

As a result, the agency’s focus is now on commercial debris removal. Currently, FEMA says all but eight commercial properties in Lahaina have been cleared, and all of the commercial properties are projected to be completed by early 2025.

According to FEMA, once a permanent debris storage site is available, the agency will manage moving the debris and returning the temporary site to its original condition. 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 and other future waste.

According to FEMA, special consideration has been given to the cultural context in Hawaiʻi throughout the debris clearing process.

“The culture in Hawaiʻi is so paramount that we could not ignore it when we were putting our debris plan together,” said Joseph Grunditz, FEMA Debris Task Force Lead, in a statement.

According to the agency, FEMA and Army Corp of Engineers staff received cultural training and cultural monitoring conducted on-site to protect Hawaiʻi’s cultural heritage and honor Native Hawaiian traditions with Native Hawaiian, Maui-based cultural advisors leading the effort.

FEMA says historic properties also received special care.

The agency says a designated team has assessed historic landmark structures, and one such structure is the Hawaiian Kingdom Courthouse, which FEMA says will be repaired. Furthermore, FEMA says that with the Army Corps of Engineers serving as the project manager, it has subcontracted 95% of work to local construction companies.

Overall, the Army Corps of Engineers has identified 29 historic and culturally significant properties that would require extra steps to save the buildings, according to FEMA.

FEMA also says six of those properties were selected for a technique called shoring and bracing, which will allow preservation of the remaining shells for restoration. Four of the six identified properties have been cleared of debris and completed.

“I can’t wait to see how the community rebuilds this beautiful town,” Grunditz said.

For the latest information on the Maui wildfire recovery efforts, visit mauicounty.gov, mauirecovers.org, fema.gov/disaster/4724 and facebook.com/fema. People can also get disaster assistance information and download applications at sba.gov/hawaii-wildfires.