HONOLULU – State and federal responders with the U.S. Coast Guard Western Maui Wildfire Emergency Support Function #10 (ESF #10) Unified Command, comprised of U.S. Coast Guard, Hawaii Department of Health (DOH), and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DLNR-DOBOR) announced on 18 December 2023 the final stage of operations in Lāhainā Harbor.
The Unified Command, working with our primary contractor, Global Diving & Salvage, and subcontractors Sea Engineering, Inc., American Marine, Pacific Environmental Company, PB Sullivan Equipment, Nā ʻAikāne o Maui, Inc., and Aina Archaeology, completed recovery and removal operations in or adjacent to Lāhainā Harbor. Response teams:
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Removed approximately 10,137 gallons of petroleum product and 24,831 pounds of hazardous materials.
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Reunited 17 vessels with minimal damage to their owners.
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Worked with DLNR-DOBOR to identify ownership and adjudicate 65 vessels, from 87 unique targets identified, before final disposition.
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Removed all remaining damaged vessels and debris.
Under the ESF #3 Mission Assignment, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) will conduct final disposition of fire-damaged vessels and incident-generated debris removed during harbor operations. The ACOE will coordinate with DLNR-DOBOR to return items of sentimental value to boat owners as they break down the vessel debris with a focus on maximizing recyclability of materials.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also assisted ESF #10 operations by including hazardous materials removed from the harbor into their waste steam for final disposition. Hazardous materials included batteries, waste oils, fuels, paints, and household cleaners.
“Our crews have worked tirelessly to remove pollution and hazardous materials in the initial steps toward the future restoration of Lāhainā Harbor,” said Capt. Melanie Burnham, U.S. Coast Guard ESF #10 Incident Commander. “This has been a team effort with continued support from our Unified Command partners, contractors, archeological monitors, cultural observers, and Coast Guard responders from across the country. Together with our community, County, State, and Federal partners, we were able to complete this mission safely and efficiently while maintaining the highest regard for the historical and cultural significance of the region."
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assigned $15,470,330 for the ESF #10 mission to aid in recovery efforts and address environmental and hazardous threats resulting from fire-impacted vessels. The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1988 authorized and funded this Mission Assignment for the U.S. Coast Guard that was agreed upon by the State and FEMA and delineated the work for vessel and debris removal operations.
For media inquiries related to the Coast Guard’s role in the Western Maui Wildfires response, please contact hawaiipacific@uscg.mil.
For questions related to Lāhainā Harbor, please contact the DLNR Communications Office at (808) 587-0396 or dlnr.comms@hawaii.gov.
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