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In many cases, properties may have been damaged by fire, but the debris has been determined to be ineligible for clean-up by the Army Corps of Engineers. This may include fire-damaged trees, fencing, ancillary structures, personal property or other exterior items the fire could have directly impacted. Likewise, indirect impacts could include smoke damage to your home or other property, as well as extended service outages causing damages to your home and property requiring remediation.
If the property has already had debris removal by the Army Corps contractor and any of the conditions listed above remain present, the property owner is authorized to clean up and dispose of those elements using the normal solid waste management processes.
To find out more information, click the following links:
Guidelines for Swimming Pools Impacted by Maui Wildfires
These guidelines are recommended for the management and maintenance of swimming pools impacted by fire damage, debris, or ash contamination. The use of the pool is not recommended until the following steps have been completed. The steps used at your property will depend on the pool and property status.
Discharging pool water to the storm drainage system, including streets, is prohibited.
Pool Status
- Pools in areas impacted by the fires may contain burned structural debris, charred vegetation, and ash. • Low water level in a pool water may be the result of evaporation or have been pumped by the debris removal contractor for dust control.
- If a swimming pool was drained during debris removal at the property, the owner may refill the pool to prevent damage due to drying of seals and gaskets.
- If a pool is in the burn zone, but not impacted by structural debris or ash, it can be drained in accordance with the County of Maui’s Fact Sheet for Discharging Swimming Pool Water. Any residual leaf litter and/or organic materials should be disposed of as solid waste.
Cleaning and Refilling
- For pools where water was not removed during debris removal:
- Clean the skimmer basket and skim the water surface with a pool net to remove floating debris.
- Backwash and clean the pool filter. Discharge the backwash to a pervious ground surface (gravel or lawn). o Pump the pool and separate the solids, including ash and debris, from the liquid. A pumping service contractor can assist with the separation and may contact the County of Maui Public Works Department’s point of contact at (808) 344-8960. Discharge approval will be based on volume and availability of disposal locations.
- For pools where water may have been removed during debris removal:
- Pump any residual quantities of water or accumulated rainwater from the pool, separating the solids from liquids, and discharge to pervious ground surface. Do not allow the water to run off the property.
- Loosen and remove debris and ash from the pool sides, bottom, and deck by brushing and vacuuming. Minimize the generation of dust.
- Dispose of solids at a designated landfill. Small quantities of solids can be disposed as residential rubbish. • Property owners within wildfire zones who wish to refill their swimming pools may obtain water at no cost by contacting the County Department of Water Supply at (808) 270-7730. Note: This water may not be potable, depending on status of the DWS system.
- Verify the recirculation system is working properly, adjust pH level to between 7.2 and 7.8, and adjust chlorine residual to a minimum of 1.0 ppm for swimming pools and 3.0 ppm for spas and waders.
- Regularly inspect pools for debris and proper filter operation. Repeat maintenance actions above as needed.
Security and Vector Control
- If the pool enclosure has been damaged or destroyed, install a temporary secure enclosure following County standards for height and entry control to prevent potential drownings or fall injuries. Use zip ties to secure access openings to provide easy access for officials. Pools on parcels in the government-sponsored Debris Removal Program will be fenced by the debris removal contactor.
- If a swimming pool will contain standing water without chlorine for more than two weeks, take one of the following actions to control mosquito breeding (contact Hawaii Department of Health Vector Control Branch, Maui Office at (808) 873-3560 or go to their website at https://health.hawaii.gov/vcb/ for further assistance):
- Mosquito dunks – Used to kill mosquito larva and can be purchased at hardware and garden shops. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for quantity and reapplication frequency.
- Mosquito fish – Mosquito fish are about the size of minnows and eat mosquito larva. They are self-sustaining and do not require any maintenance. Note: Do not add pool chemicals if using fish.
Cost
Pros: FEMA will pay for the work (estimated to be $200K to $500K+) and the property owner will only have to pay whatever their insurance provides specific to debris removal.
Cons: You will want to set aside the amount your policy provides for debris removal to pay at a future date.
Pros: If you have a very large amount allotted in your insurance policy (estimated to be $200K to $500K+) to cover debris removal, you may have enough to cover the clean-up without dipping into your rebuild funds.
Cons: The same professional experts will be needed with either program, so the costs will be nearly the same.
Control Over Scope
Pros: The U.S. Army Corps. Of Engineers will manage all aspects of the clean up: archaeological monitoring, asbestos removal, hazard tree evaluation, soil testing, air quality monitoring and debris removal. Owners can indicate on their Right-of-Entry document if there are any trees, rock walls, or other sensitive areas on the site outside of the structure footprint that they would like preserved or protected during clean-up.
Cons: The Army Corps is scoped to do a comprehensive clean-up and leaving out certain elements of the clean up may require a waiver.
Pros: Certain elements of the clean up, such as structurally testing and preserving building foundations, could be an option if the owner opts out.
Please note, due to the extreme heat of the fire, engineering experts have stated nearly all foundations will not be reusable.
Cons: All of the certified specialists and fields of expertise that Army Corps is using will be required for every property owner cleaning up their own site. These contractors would need to develop a work plan to be approved by the County prior to starting work for the protection of the community and the environment.
Timing
Pros: The County is building a temporary debris removal site now, which will accept the ash and debris from Lahaina around mid-January. The Army Corps will have 30 teams in the field doing clean-up and they estimate they can clean a parcel in 2-3 days.
Cons: Property owners are subject to the Army Corps schedule.
Pros: Once a site is built to accept the debris (est. 6 mos+) from the alternative program, and a permit for the alternate program is acquired (est. 2 mos), the owner could control their clean up schedule.
Cons: The Army Corps temporary debris removal site will not accept debris from outside their program because they are responsible for quality and contamination of that material. This means anyone going with the alternative program will need to wait until a permanent County site is built. In addition, a permit will be needed for owner driven clean-up.
Eligibility, Sign up & Deadlines
Who is eligible?
In order to be eligible for the government-sponsored clean-up of private properties, the property must contain a destroyed structure of at least 120 square feet or greater.
The County is currently working to develop the process, guidance documents and forms for private fire debris removal and will have the information published soon.
How to sign-up?
Owner must complete a Right-of-Entry (ROE) to allow the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers and their contractors access to the property.
FAQs for Ineligible Debris
Yes. If your insurance policy specifies a specified amount for debris removal, you may use your insurance proceeds to remove fire-related debris that was ineligible under the Consolidated Debris Removal Program.
If your homeowner's insurance policy does not have a separate, debris-specific clause and instead includes the cost of debris removal in the total coverage, you may use these proceeds to pay for the removal of fire-related debris that is ineligible for removal under the program.
In either scenario, the property owner will be required to substantiate all expenditures. We recommend that you contact your insurance provider to confirm that the debris removal line item will cover your specific situation. In addition, please ensure that any receipts for post-debris removal cleanup conducted by the homeowner are saved.
The County will only collect the remaining insurance proceeds, if any, after you have removed ineligible fire-related debris.
Please see the Guidelines for Swimming Pools Impacted by Maui Wildfires or by viewing the latest information on the Ineligible debris page above.
Concrete or asphalt waste can be disposed of at the Central Maui Landfill. Concrete and asphalt must be cut or broken down into sizes that are less than 3 feet in length. Please be aware that if a resident has a commercial entity help them haul the material, they will be charged the standard tip fee for commercial trucks.
Some Construction & Demolition recyclers may take the material for a lower tip fee than the Central Maui Landfill. However, the material must be clean (free of re-bar, wire, organics, and dirt).
Ineligible fire-related debris must be disposed of at a Subtitle D disposal facility that contains a liner, such as the Central Maui Landfill. The standard Central Maui Landfill refuse acceptance criteria will apply.
Regular Refuse at the Central Maui Landfill- Large Volume
Residents self-hauling large amounts of fire-related debris should contact the Solid Waste Division for procedures before visiting the Central Maui Landfill. If a resident has a commercial entity to help them haul refuse to the Central Maui Landfill, the standard tip fee for commercial trucks will be applied.
Regular Refuse at the Central Maui Landfill- Small Volume
Residents self-hauling small amounts of fire-related debris must wet the material and place it in double-bagged trash bags. Non-ash debris does not require double-bagging. If a resident has a commercial entity to help them haul refuse to the Central Maui Landfill, the standard tip fee for commercial trucks will be applied.
Organic Wood Debris
Residents can dispose of fire-impacted organic wood products (trees, brush, etc.) at the Central Maui Landfill’s green waste receiving area. Before visiting, please ensure all wood products are free of ash debris.
Non-fire-impacted organic wood products may be taken to the Olowalu Convenience Center site or the Central Maui Landfill.
Other Material
Please refer to Recycling and Disposal Resource Guide below.
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