Property owners must sign up by completing a Right-of-Entry (ROE) form. No removal of non-hazardous, fire-damaged material will begin on private property without the permission of the property owner.

An online portal has been established for submitting a Right of Entry form. Choose a button below to get started in the portal.

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Documents and information needed for submittal of the Debris Removal Right-of-Entry Permit:

• County of Maui Cover Letter
• ROE Checklist
• Debris Removal Right-of-Entry Permit form
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​This ROE can be submitted to ROE@mauirecovers.org OR send the physical copy of the ROE and accompanying documents to:
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Public Works Department
Attn: ROE intake
200 S. High Street
Wailuku, HI 96793

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Advice to help fill out Right-of-Entry

• Homeowners should be encouraged to list septic tanks, leach fields, survey monuments, cesspools, gravesites, or any other important structures when doing their ROE drawing.
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• If property owners are unsure about the eligibility of material/items on their property or would like to keep certain items, it would be helpful to specify the material/item they would like to keep or specifically have removed from their property.
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• Certain items may require additional eligibility determinations for removal, so when in doubt, it's better to document. For example, if the homeowner has an above-ground, fiberglass pool that was melted during the fire but is held up by a retaining wall, it would be beneficial to them to note that they would like the pool and retaining wall to be removed.

Learn more about Alternative Program FAQs

Residents will have at minimum 30 days after their reentry date to submit an ROE. Learn how to submit your ROE form here.

Contractor will be solely responsible for planning debris removal schedule of work. They will be given a scope of work and locations based on ROE sign ups and well as the areas that phase 1 has already happened in consideration and they will work in whatever pattern makes sense for their crew.

Yes, we are supporting all private and commercial property debris removal.

The renters should work with their landlord to ensure the landlord knows about the program so they can complete an ROE for the apartment complex.

They should contact their HOA and work with others in the HOA. They will need the lead/owner of the HOA to complete the ROE form for work to be completed. They will need to apply collectively on a single ROE.

No. They are two separate programs, and you will have to sign up for both independently to be a part of both.

No. The ROE is only valid for the duration of the program and does not affect ownership of the property in any way. The ROE is only valid for the duration of the program. After the cleanup is completed, FEMA will provide a detailed report about the cleanup process and the ROE will be nullified.

No. Insurance proceeds will be collected by the county for debris removal coverage if your policy had any.

Yes, ROE form has a place for owner to input insurance information. If owner does not have insurance, there is no further action needed. If the owner does have insurance with debris removal as a specific line item on their insurance policy, they must remit the amount provided to them from the insurance company to the county. It is suggested they contact their insurance company to ask questions if they are unsure of specific coverage. If you receive an insurance payout for debris removal and have USACE clean your property for free, you are receiving duplicate benefits.

No. Though U.S. EPA is using resources (personnel, equipment, contractors, etc.) from its Superfund program with funding through a mission assignment from FEMA to conduct Phase 1 cleanup operations, this isn't considered a Superfund site.

A Superfund site is typically a cleanup project where no other regulatory authority can conduct the work, and is meant to address former industrial activities. The final disposition (or repository) site will be built and operated under state and federal laws other than the Superfund law.

Yes, fire-impacted properties with eligible debris are required to complete both Phase 1 and 2 of the program.

For Phase 1, all properties are required to have hazardous materials and waste removed. These items can be hazardous and require special handling and disposal. The EPA will complete this process for all fire-impacted properties. Phase 1 of the Program is being conducted at no cost to property owners.

Phase 2 debris removal by the Corps is optional; however, properties that opt out of this option are still required to provide for the timely removal of hazardous debris fields, and deadlines will be set by the County. Removal by a private contractor is authorized but must be done at the homeowner’s expense, and work done must meet or exceed the standards set by local, state and federal agencies. This includes compliance with all legal requirements for handling, disposal at authorized disposal sites, soil sampling and transportation. In addition, best management practices must be utilized along with work activity documentation and erosion control. 

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Some volunteer organizations can assist with tasks for reentry, however, it is not anticipated that VOADS will play a role in the USACE Debris Removal Program.

This issue is currently before Maui County Council. Opt-out forms were required in previous events; however, Maui County is still in development of their opt-out procedures. The county will require self-performed debris removal to comply with all legal requirements including compliance with use of appropriate disposal sites, best management practices, proper testing, erosion control, cultural monitoring, etc.

If they wish to cancel, they may request removal through the County.

No. We cannot in any way direct the means and methods the contractors use to include which crew does what. There will be a Native Hawaiian specifically Lahaina cultural monitor on the site to oversee the work being done.

For all the latest information on Maui Recover's website regarding Fire Debris Removal, click here. Here is critical information focused on the most commonly asked questions:

About Fire Debris Removal

Fire Debris Removal is the removal of the remaining structural ash and debris and may include soil testing. The County of Maui, State of Hawai‘i, FEMA and local officials will coordinate with the U.S Army Corps of Engineers to offer a Consolidated Debris Removal Program. The program will allow the Corps to conduct the safe removal and handling of fire-damaged debris from destroyed properties.

A private fire debris removal process will be established for those who want to opt out of the Consolidated Debris Removal Program. The County is currently working to develop the process, guidance documents and forms for private contractor fire debris removal and will have the information published soon.

How long will Debris Removal take?

The cleanup in Kula/Olinda will take a couple of months, as the quantity of ash and debris is a small fraction of the amount in Lahaina.  The cleanup in Lahaina will take the better part of 2024.

No estimate will be given. Residents will be contacted with their scheduled debris removal date 72 hours in advance. USACE contractors will place a sign on the property that indicates the status of their property through a checklist. It is our intent to also make the status available online. Property owners should be able to navigate to a map, input their address, and see the current status there.

Current estimates for USACE Phase 1 – 90 days. Phase 2 - 6-12 months.

Ash and debris will be removed from all impacted areas including public, residential and commercial areas.

• Foundations - Yes. Unfortunately, foundations will be removed, due to the high heat of the fire the foundation is structurally compromised, and it cannot safely be rebuilt upon. Because of this, the debris removal program will be removing foundations as a part of the cleanup.
• Structural walls are eligible for removal, landscape walls not eligible. Structural walls are not removed if a structural engineer assessment shows they are sound.
• Vehicles/vessels, titled property. Titled property will be adjudicated and recycled.
• Driveways/Pathways - Generally not eligible unless within the ash footprint and will be cut at the point of being out of the ash footprint.
• Swimming Pools – Pools will be drained of ash and roped off in accordance with OSHA standards.

The cleanup in Kula/Olinda will take a couple of months, as the quantity of ash and debris is a small fraction of the amount in Lahaina. The construction of the final containment area and cleanup in Lahaina will take the better part of 2024.

Learn more about the entire Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Fire Debris Removal process.

Phase 1 is currently underway; EPA will post a sign on each property when hazardous waste removal is complete, and will also notify the broader community when hazardous materials removal is completed in an entire neighborhood. View EPA’s online resource tool, which provides information on their process, progress and completion status: bit.ly/EPAprogress  

Once a Right-of-Entry (ROE) form is signed for Phase 2, Army Corps employees will contact homeowners that are enrolled in the Consolidated Debris Removal Program via phone 24-48 hours in advance to provide notice of work start times. The Corps’ contractor is required to provide the Corps a formal report of completion. The Corps will provide those reports to the county, and the county will notify homeowners. A Phase 2 map, showing progress, will be published once work gets underway.

Does the debris contain remains? If so, how will it be managed in an appropriate and respectful manner?

While ash from Kula and Olinda does not contain remains, ash from Lahaina contains remains which were unidentifiable by search crews. Ash from Lahaina will be removed from properties under oversight by cultural monitors hired by USACE. The ash and debris will be transported to a site nearby Lahaina in a dedicated containment cell where there is potential for a memorial site in the future.

What if cultural artifacts or former burial sites are uncovered during the cleanup?

All debris team members continue to be aware of significant cultural, historic, and archaeological resources in Lahaina and will support efforts to protect and preserve these important resources.  USACE will deploy cultural monitors to oversee all work during debris removal efforts.  If any artifacts or former burial sites are found or uncovered, procedures will be followed in coordination with cultural monitors to secure the area with no further disturbance. Dawson Solutions, LLC, a Native Hawaiian Organization 8(a) contractor, has been hired to help prevent further harm to items of cultural and historical significance while also honoring the unique cultural heritage of Hawai‘i. Cultural observers will be onsite for all stages of Phase 2 operations.

Is it possible to deposit culturally sensitive or ash known to contain remains separately from the rest of the debris?

Remains and cultural items that are identifiable will be managed properly in coordination with the cultural monitors, however, it is very difficult to distinguish remains or other artifacts when debris materials are entirely ash.

What will be done to minimize impacts to the environment and any culturally significant items (i.e., petroglyphs, Iwi) at the site?

The State Historic Preservation Officer and local Cultural Directors will be consulted prior to debris removal. If any such areas are identified, efforts will be made to avoid or conserve any cultural artifacts or areas of significance in the area. In addition, cultural monitors will be onsite during debris removal activities to ensure any Iwi or artifacts that may be discovered are properly conserved or managed to respect the Native Hawaiian Rights of Olowalu families.

How will the containment area be built to be protective of human health, wildlife, agricultural lands, marine life, and the environment?

The containment area will be built to stringent design standards intended to completely encapsulate the ash and debris between heavy plastic and clay composite liners (base and final cover) specifically designed for this purpose. Debris (plastic, dust) will be contained within the site and prevented from blowing onto adjacent lands or the ocean.  In addition, regular supervision and maintenance to remove leachate to mitigate any potential leaking of contaminants will be performed. Finally, groundwater monitoring wells will be installed around the landfill to detect any changes to groundwater conditions. The groundwater is over 100’ below the bottom liner of the containment facility. The nearest well is over a mile away and only used for irrigation purposes.

Residents cannot dictate terms of service. They will have to opt out and be responsible for debris removal to the standards required.

Cultural monitors will be present during debris removal operations. If cultural resources are discovered during debris removal, the monitors will stop work and investigate a resolution.

Yes. If there are items you would like to keep on your property, specify items to remain in the ROE.
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You will be notified of when debris removal operations will take place.

Will residents have a chance to sort through the debris to look for any valuables?

Residents are being permitted to re-enter certain areas to see their properties, but ‘sifting’ is being restricted due to safety considerations with the ash and the dust this may generate.

What if the contractor discovers valuables like money or a safe?

If the contractor discovers valuables, they should preserve them so we can return them to the property owner. Additionally, we will have quality assurance personnel onsite to monitor these situations and make positive contact with the property owner.

Has the community been consulted about this process? Will there be a chance to comment?

Public outreach is underway to make residents aware of planning efforts to manage debris and solicit feedback, opinions, recommendations, and ideas.  This outreach is part of a community involvement plan is under development in coordination with local, state and federal partners. It will involve outreach in person (i.e., open houses, via websites and social media). Information will be made available on these opportunities at the https://www.mauirecovers.org/debrisremoval website.

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Is the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) involved in the planning and process?

Yes. DOH staff from various divisions have been and continue to be involved daily in all aspects of the planning and implementation of the project.

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How is the Emergency Powers Act and associated Emergency Proclamations being used to facilitate this process?

The Governor has issued several Emergency Proclamations related to the wildfires (see https://www.mauicounty.gov/2006/Declarations).  The Emergency Proclamations exempt certain permitting and regulatory requirements to facilitate the expedient recovery and community protections for victims of the wildfires. These proclamations will exempt Maui County from certain permitting requirements which would significantly delay the design, construction and use of the waste management facilities.

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What is being done to minimize the potentially harmful effects of toxins in the ash / debris on human and environmental health?

The wildfire ash, dust and debris must be removed as quickly as possible and according to accepted safety standards. The first phase of this effort, overseen by EPA, is nearly complete. The second phase, which is being undertaken by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, entails wrapping the ash and debris in a non-permeable material, securing and covering it, and trucking it to a temporary staging area before it will be permanently stored at the West Maui site.

Below are relevant questions to the safety of Debris Removal

Will the workers be safe cleaning up, loading out, and transporting the ash and debris?

Workers will be using protective clothing to avoid contact or breathing in the ash. All applicable work health and safety standards will be followed.

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How will it be removed and transported safely to the temporary storage areas / containment area?

Ash will be collected by hand tools (rakes and shovels), mini-excavators and front-loaders into dump trucks lined with heavy plastic, which will be sealed and tarped (aka ‘burrito wrapped’) prior to leaving the property. The trucks will follow designated routes (avoiding the Pali) to the temporary storage and/or disposal areas. Sensitive dust monitors will be in place at both the source and destination locations. Loads will be slowly dumped at the disposal areas to avoid generating dust. Dust will be controlled by water misters applying a gentle spray of water. The staging pads will be lined with heavy plastic to prevent leaks and will be covered every day to avoid drying and dust generation. US ACE will oversee all contractors involved in this process.

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Will the air be monitored around the cleanup area and storage/containment areas?

Yes. Sensitive dust monitors specifically designed for this purpose will be set up each day by trained personnel during all excavation and dumping operations. The public will be able to view air monitoring data at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

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Is there a risk of rainwater run-off from the ash into the ocean or other surface waters?

The best course of action to reduce ash runoff is to expedite the removal of ash from affected properties. Erosion control features called best management practices (BMPs) have been placed around storm drains to reduce discharge. USEPA soil stabilization efforts applied in Upcountry and currently underway in Lahaina primarily serve to control dust, but these efforts also help mitigate runoff. Once ash and debris reach the final disposal areas, this risk is significantly reduced by runoff control features and impermeable liners.
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What about asbestos and how will it be managed?

Asbestos containing material, mostly from building materials such as siding and floor tiles, will be managed along with the ash and debris carefully to avoid disturbing it and by application of water for dust control during collection, transport and handling.

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Do the levels of contamination in the ash make the debris a ‘hazardous waste’?

No. From a regulatory perspective, ash and debris area considered ‘household waste,’ which is different from ‘hazardous waste’ designation and can be managed at municipal solid waste landfills, such as the Central Maui Landfill, according to federal law. Though the levels of arsenic, lead and cobalt make the ash harmful to human health (via exposure to skin or inhalation), these levels of contamination do not necessarily make the waste a ‘hazardous waste.’ A thin (1/2 – 1” thick) layer of ash will be removed along with underlying soils (6” thick layer). When this material is mixed together, it is unlikely to contain leachable levels of arsenic and lead that would classify the material as a ‘hazardous waste’ per federal regulations.

Below are the top of mind questions regarding disposal of ash and debris:

For the Kula/Olinda Ash Management Site - Central Maui Landfill

Why isn’t the ash and debris being taken off the island for disposal?

The process of collection, safe packaging, loading onto ships, unloading from ships, and loading onto trains or trucks for transport to facilities on the mainland would extend the timeframe for cleanup by months or years. In addition, it could potentially increase the overall environmental impact of the cleanup and risk of an accident or spill in transport.  Finally, the ash and debris would end up being disposed of in essentially the same type of location as on Maui. Because the ash from Lahaina contains human remains, there is a desire for a nearby disposal site which could be the site of a memorial in the future.
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What other options for disposal were considered?

In addition to the West Maui location, the County also evaluated disposal at Central Maui

Landfill (which will receive ash and debris from Upcountry - Kula/Olinda). The transportation distance, number of trucks, capacity to receive waste each day and safety impacts factored into the decision to manage ash and debris from Kula and Olinda at the Central Maui Landfill site. Another site in West Maui, Crater Village, was considered but was found to be too close to residences and schools.

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For the Lahaina Ash Management Site - West Maui (Olowalu Site)

Can the ash be safely disposed of in West Maui?

Yes. The location of the West Maui containment area is adjacent to a closed landfill in Olowalu, just outside Lahaina. It is a remote, dry, secure area adjacent to cinder pits and well above the tsunami zone. The design will take into consideration potential for seismic events.

Is the closed Olowalu landfill being re-opened?

No. The footprint of the containment area is not connected to or part of the old landfill, which was closed in 1992. It will be located between the old, closed landfill in the cinder pit.

Has any impact from the currently closed Olowalu landfill on the reef been measured or observed? What can be learned from that experience?

To our knowledge, no impacts to the reef have been measured or observed.  The County continues to maintain and monitor the closed Olowalu Landfill.  The County conducted a 3rd party evaluation of Olowalu in 2014, and completed related construction in 2018 (surface water drainage improvements, gas system maintenance, and vegetation).

What is being done to protect the long-term health of the community and environment surrounding Olowalu? Will the West Maui site meet the requirements of federal or state landfill regulation?

While the containment area design has not yet been finalized, it will feature redundant mitigation measures, including a double liner, environmental monitoring, and other controls to protect long-term community and environmental health.  Additional information about the design and construction schedule will be provided as soon as it becomes available.

As this area is known for very high winds that may exacerbate air and marine pollution concerns, are there mitigation methods for airborne contaminants being developed to protect the environment and community areas from the ash and debris is being disturbed, cleared, and then deposited?

Ash and debris in the impacted areas have been stabilized through application of a product called SoilTac, which binds with the ash/debris to prevent it from being blown or washed away.  There will be several operational environmental controls that will be used to prevent ash and debris from escaping.  This includes the use of water misters to minimize dust, wrapping debris in plastic and covering loads during transport, and covering the debris at the containment area at the end of the day.  Finally, air quality monitoring will also be conducted during cleanup and disposal.  Operations will be adjusted should air monitoring detect any issues.

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Is this area located below the Underground Injection Control (UIC) line?

No. The site is currently being planned above a non-drinking water resource and is makai (ocean side) of the ‘Underground Injection Control (UIC)’ zone designated by the State. The boundary between non-drinking water aquifers and underground sources of drinking water is generally referred to as the “UIC Line”.  Restrictions on wells differ, depending on whether the area is inland (mauka) or seaward (makai) of the UIC line.

What are the other benefits of this containment area?

Being close to Lahaina, the exhaust emissions and risks to drivers on the Pali of thousands of trucks will be greatly reduced. In addition, clean fill displaced to build the containment area can be hauled back to the properties for clean backfill.

Learn more about the what is being done to protect the environment.

Is the ash toxic (results from testing showed arsenic, lead and cobalt)?

The Hawaii Department of Health, Hazardous Evaluation and Emergency Response Office, collected samples for laboratory analysis of just the ash from several parcels in Kula and Olinda. The results found elevated levels of arsenic, lead and cobalt at Levels determined by health agencies to be harmful to humans in direct contact with it. The ash in Lahaina was not tested yet but is expected to have similar results as the Kula/Olinda ash. This is why it needs to be collected and removed from the ground as soon as possible to eliminate risk of rainwater run-off or wind erosion. It needs to be placed into a safe containment area.

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Considering recently released data from Kula fires showing the high levels of several toxins within the ash, are any heightened protective containment measures or methods being designed for transport as well as at the site of final disposition? Has the County engaged toxicity experts to help understand heightened risks of transport and disposal?

Yes.  The County of Maui has engaged and contracted with several industry experts and is working closely with State DOH and EPA to manage hazards to the greatest extent possible.  Both the County and FEMA are committed to ensure the minimum possible exposure to public and environment.  

Although municipal landfill liner requirements were developed to safely contain a wide range of residential and commercial wastes, the County of Maui is planning to build the disposal unit to exceed these standards by constructing two liners on the bottom of the cell with a leachate collection system at the uppermost liner and leak detection in between the two liners. The containment unit will not hold just ash but other debris as well.

Soiltac is being sprayed onto the debris to help hold the ash in place and keep dust and ash from blowing around. It is a clear hydroseed type material that is biodegradable.

Protect the Environment

• Crews will be conducting dust suppression (spraying down debris), air monitoring, and debris wrapping will take place during debris removal operations.
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• Best Management Practices (BMP) have been installed for waterways to catch pollutants before it reaches any watersheds.

USACE doesn’t have a requirement for the resident to sign anything post-debris removal this step is the responsibility of the county. We just need a signed right-of-entry before phase 2 can occur. The owner will work with the county when debris removal is fully complete and then the ROE will be nullified.

This is a county question also. Once USACE has cleared the property, we return the ROE back to the county. They will establish any expedited permitting requirements since it’s their jurisdiction.

2,456 properties were burned, however, not all were destroyed.

USACE doesn’t prevent the owner from visiting their property. Once USACE completes debris removal, we will turn over the right-of-entry to the county. The property owner should coordinate any occupancy and improvement requirements with the county.

If the wall impedes debris removal process it will be removed. Also, this may need to be coordinated amongst property owners for which this retaining wall would impact, if eligible and not structurally required to remain onsite.

Yes, fire-impacted properties with eligible debris are required to complete both Phase 1 and 2 of the program.

For Phase 1, all properties are required to have hazardous materials and waste removed. These items can be hazardous and require special handling and disposal. The EPA will complete this process for all fire-impacted properties. Phase 1 of the Program is being conducted at no cost to property owners.

Phase 2 debris removal by the Corps is optional; however, properties that opt out of this option are still required to provide for the timely removal of hazardous debris fields, and deadlines will be set by the County. Removal by a private contractor is authorized but must be done at the homeowner’s expense, and work done must meet or exceed the standards set by local, state and federal agencies. This includes compliance with all legal requirements for handling, disposal at authorized disposal sites, soil sampling and transportation. In addition, best management practices must be utilized along with work activity documentation and erosion control. 

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Some volunteer organizations can assist with tasks for reentry, however, it is not anticipated that VOADS will play a role in the USACE Debris Removal Program.

This issue is currently before Maui County Council. Opt-out forms were required in previous events; however, Maui County is still in development of their opt-out procedures. The county will require self-performed debris removal to comply with all legal requirements including compliance with use of appropriate disposal sites, best management practices, proper testing, erosion control, cultural monitoring, etc.

If they wish to cancel, they may request removal through the County.

No. We cannot in any way direct the means and methods the contractors use to include which crew does what. There will be a Native Hawaiian specifically Lahaina cultural monitor on the site to oversee the work being done.