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As we bicker over using the Olowalu ravine to place toxic debris from Lahaina, that same toxic debris is currently seeping into Lahaina's soil, groundwater, reef, and the ocean.
The ash right now is 100-times more dangerous than when it's in a membrane-lined, burrito-wrapped ravine.
The alternatives? Move it across the island "somewhere," say to the Pu'unene landfill, taking up the roadways, risking seepage/spillage. Or ship off-island? To where?
Loading at port, on the route, on the sea, the leakage risk is much greater.
Or, each landowner could have their own insurance haul away to the current landfill. Both the removal and cost to dispose would take a significant portion of insurance proceeds.
Geologists say a membrane-lined, non-flood-plain and properly managed landfill is safer than landfills of the past.
Too, make this landfill a sacred place. Remains remain. Olowalu is sacred. This is sacred.
Lahaina, in a tragic 24 hours, had astronomically greater cultural, life, and ecological damage. Olowalu's reef will be protected, even though it has already been decimated by agricultural runoff.
I get the distrust. Our government has a track record of planning with good intentions and not performing. Critically, in this instance, they must follow through on properly disposing of this debris, both temporarily and permanently.
We must hold them to account, but even more so, the ash needs to leave Lahaina and its reefs. The sooner, the better.
Kelli Lundgren
Ka'anapali