Moving 400,000 tons of debris from the 2023 Maui wildfires is expected to take about five months with up to 50 trucks making daily trips.

Maui County officials anticipate starting to move debris from the 2023 wildfires on June 16 once the permanent disposal site next to the Central Maui Landfill is ready.

The 400,000 tons of debris is equivalent to about five football fields piled five stories high, and drivers are being advised to plan for slower-than-usual traffic while the debris is being shifted from the Olowalu temporary site to the permanent site.

“This is an important step in our recovery efforts and fulfills our promise to the residents of Olowalu that this debris storage would be temporary,” Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said in a news release. “We appreciate the patience and understanding of our residents and visitors as we transfer Lahaina’s wildfire debris safely and respectfully.”

While operations are ongoing, motorists traveling to and from West Maui are advised to plan ahead. Additionally, drivers are being warned not to pass or tailgate the debris-hauling trucks, which will be marked with “Lahaina Wildfire Debris” decals.

The work will take place seven days a week during daylight hours. According to county officials, there will be no nighttime operations for safety reasons.

From the temporary site, trucks will drive along Honoapiʻilani Highway from Olowalu to Māʻalaea and then turn onto Kūihelani Highway before using former cane hauling roads from Waikō Road to the permanent disposal site.

By using the old cane hauling roads for part of the 19-mile route, officials hope to minimize disruptions.

Temporary intersection improvements, traffic flaggers and signage on state and county roads will also be in place, and alternate routes have been identified for emergency hauling operations in case of a road closure.

According to the county, the debris has been evaluated by the EPA, state Health Department and the county, and it’s been found to pose no public health risk in its transport and placement at the permanent disposal site.

Maui County is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency, Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation and Hawaiʻi Department of Health to move the debris.