A defining event this year was the devastating wildfires that impacted Maui in August 2023.
HI-EMA mobilized quickly to coordinate response efforts, providing critical support to local authorities and first responders. HI-EMA worked to ensure the safety of residents and visitors, facilitating evacuations and establishing emergency shelters for those displaced by the fires. Additionally, HI-EMA collaborated with various state and federal agencies to conduct damage assessments and implement relief measures.
In the aftermath of the Maui wildfires, the state of Hawaiʻi quickly coordinated with local agencies, nonprofits, and federal partners to secure temporary housing options, including 17 hotels, short-term rentals, and 35 condominiums for 8,001 people. This action helped ensure that displaced residents had access to safe living conditions. The program provided support services, which included case management, mental health support, and assistance with navigating federal and state aid programs. These services aimed to help individuals and families transition from emergency sheltering to more permanent housing solutions.
When focus shifted to recovery, HI-EMA played a pivotal role in coordinating debris removal efforts, working closely with local governments and contractors to clear affected areas and restore access to essential services. Swift action in debris management supported rebuilding efforts and assisted residents in returning to their homes. The ongoing collaboration with FEMA ensured that funding and resources were available to support these critical recovery activities.
– 2024 Annual Report pp. 41-42
Maui Wildfire Debris Removal The FY 2025 period saw the conclusion of major debris removal phases in Lahaina, which had been ramping up since March 2024:
– 2025 Annual Report pp. 53
- Residential debris removal officially concluded on Sept. 11, 2024.
- Commercial debris removal in Lahaina concluded on Feb. 26, 2025. This effort included the bracing and shoring of six historic properties and debris removal from 29 total historical properties.
- Right of way debris removal finished on Feb. 14, 2025, with 16 zones completed.
- The overall disaster mission resulted in the removal of 384,644 tons of ash/debris, 142,186 tons of concrete, and 15,793 tons of metal from Lahaina and Kula.
- Removal of 237 shoreline pilings seaward of Front Street was physically completed by Navy contractors between April 1 – 17, 2025, with 538 tons sent to a recycler.
- The final shipment of household hazardous material and bulk asbestos material, which had been stored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers following commercial debris removal, departed the storage yard on March 12, 2025.
- Construction of the permanent disposal site began on Jan. 29, 2025, after significant delays in locating a site. The initial seven acres were completed in June, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began hauling debris from the temporary disposal site on June 16, 2025.