https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2023/08/epa-starts-removing-hazardous-materials-in-lahaina/

EPA starts removing hazardous materials in Lahaina

Work must be completed before residents can return to homes

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has begun removing and disposing of hazardous materials from homes as the post-fire response in Lahaina shifts to a new phase after weeks of search efforts. After completing its work in Kula and Olinda over the weekend, the EPA is turning efforts to Lahaina, which also puts community members one step closer to returning to their properties.

“First and foremost this is at no cost to property owners. This is fully funded by federal funding,” Steve Calanog, the EPA’s incident commander, said of the hazardous materials removal.

Speaking at a county news conference Tuesday afternoon, Calanog said this first phase of hazardous waste removal involves assessing properties, identifying hazards and removing them. Hazardous materials could include compressed gas cylinders, pesticides, fertilizers and ammunition, as well as lithium-ion batteries, and in particular solar battery storage on homes, of which “there are quite a few.”

The EPA anticipates the process to take several months to complete, though the timeline will depend on work conditions, according to a news release from the EPA Tuesday afternoon.

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