This is the stupidest idea. It will kill not only all the living things in the ocean but all humans, our water, showering water, ocean, etc will all be cancerous. VOTE NO.
From the perspective of sound decision-making in disaster mitigation, decision-makers must take into account the risks inherent in the natural landscape and how they intersect with populations and the surrounding ecosystem. In arguments made by the County and FEMA in favor of this landfill site, we heard reassurances about the landfill being constructed with greater strength and reinforcement than the Central Maui Landfill.
However, there are key geographic and topographic differences between the Central Maui Landfill and the proposed Olowalu site that have gone unrecognized in their analysis. The Central Maui landfill also did not contain substantial historical treasures and archeological features as does the current site at Olowalu.
The toxic landfill at Olowalu lies at the basin of a natural watershed prone to flash flooding during heavy rainfall events. Only one significant rainfall and the water will rush through this site and into the ocean located only 600 yards away. There is no engineering or construction within the site capable of retaining the volume of water that flows through the valley during heavy rainstorms. Water will be diverted and washed into the ocean and leach into the ground.
The second natural feature, but one of the most important features overlooked by the County of Maui and FEMA in their "risk analysis" is one of the world's most revered and biologically important coral reef ecosystems within the Hawaiian Islands.
Olowalu Reef is a declared Mission Blue Hope Spot (a place critical to the health of our oceans) and has been described as Maui's “Mother Reef” because it is a primary source of coral larvae for the reefs of Lana’i, Moloka’i, and West Maui.
It is a revered sanctuary within a state Conservation District for Maui’s humpback whales and whale-birthing calves and harbors the largest manta ray population in the United States. Its rich diversity of rare and unique coral species, whales, and marine life draws millions of visitors and revenue to Maui each year.
Any amount of risk to this marine environment is too much as it poses an enormous health risk to the surrounding islands and future economic risk to the whole of Maui. Our visitor industry centers around our whales, corals, and marine life and a threat to them is a threat to our collective futures.
The third feature overlooked in the County and FEMA's "risk analysis" are sacred Hawaiian cultural sites that have been ignored. As the County gives lip service to being culturally sensitive in the handling of the waste in Lahaina, it stands to desecrate significant archeological sites of importance to Hawaiians in Olowalu.
Olowalu Valley holds immense history as well as an enduring population of lineal descendants who stand to lose the most treasured thing within their culture—the land. These people of the Olowalu Valley are the same ones who taught us to aloha ʻāina, and they now face toxic waste poisoning from prevailing winds frequent in the valley that will lift toxic soil and ash and deposit it into their kalo farms, and the ocean—poisoning both food supplies.
FEMA reassured participants in today's meeting that the toxicity of this waste only has a 90-day shelf life. The scientific community knows better.
The wealth of research contained in the attached fact sheet from the National Institute of Health, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the World Health Organization, and countless others verify the lethality and longevity of the types of compounds and toxins in wildfire debris such as dioxin. These are heavily prevalent in urban wildfire settings and are "forever toxins." Dioxin in particular has no safe limits for exposure according to the scientific literature.
Attached with this testimony is the “Wildfire Guide to Recovery” highlighting the very serious concern dioxin poses to our population and marine ecosystem. It is used by fire departments and remediation teams throughout the United States including CalFire, the California Fire Chief's Association, the California Emergency Management Agency, and hundreds of wildfire control and debris remediation organizations.
Finally, despite the design plans presented by the County of Maui for the Olowalu Toxic Waste Landfill, chemical and biological engineers who have expertise in the construction of similar toxic landfill sites, found enormous shortcomings in structural integrity. The porous cinder rock and loose sediment foundation of the dump and its liner, slated to hold 400,000 tons of debris, is NOT architecturally sound or stable.
The positioning of the dump in a watershed atop loose sediment makes it subject to rapid erosion, especially during rainfall events. As erosion occurs, the foundation of the liner will shift, creating stress along seams, and tearing. When this happens, the leaching of toxins will occur. According to the EPA, even under low-stress conditions devoid of these concerns, all landfills eventually fail due to leaching into the surrounding environment. This is cited in the fact sheet data and research document attached.
Forever poisons like dioxin within urban wildfire debris are proven to leach and eventually, all landfills fail according to the EPA's findings. Long-term research has been conducted on similar sites constructed adjacent to coral reef systems—some of which are now classified as the most toxic reefs in the world (See attached research on Bermuda's toxic landfill by the see and effects of dioxin on marine life). These sites cannot be remediated.
Even small amounts of dioxin particulate matter can cause serious harm to the health of the people of Maui and our marine life including cancer, sterility, birth defects, neurological disorders, and more. Dioxin also bioaccumulates in the food chain, making it impossible to remove or effectively remediate. Once the damage is done, there is no going back, hence its classification as a "forever" poison. The cost is truly incalculable and will present itself well into the future and create irreparable injury to the people, ecosystem, and economy of Maui.
The County would be hard-pressed to find a single expert versed in multivariate risk analysis to agree that the current site is acceptable given its proximity to a natural watershed atop loose sediment, with a popular recreational and surf area for children and thousands of visitors beneath it; as well as the most vital coral reef ecosystem spawning life for nearby islands and a marine sanctuary for hundreds of birthing humpback whales and their babies.
These concerns were echoed in today's meeting by experts who possess far greater knowledge of the scientific risks and technological advancements that provide alternatives to this plan. Hundreds (possibly nearing a thousand) of people spoke out in extreme opposition to the temporary and permanent toxic waste landfill sites selected to house 400,000 tons of the most lethal chemical compounds and carcinogens known to mankind.
This will become Maui's "Red Hill" disaster, but sadly, there will be no amount of money capable of remediating its effects long-term.
ALTERNATIVES FOR CONSIDERATION
Among the experts who testified in opposition were university specialists in bioremediation, the world's most respected and celebrated marine biologist Sylvia Earle, chemical and biological engineers with expertise in the construction of toxic waste landfills and disposal of toxic debris, and engineers with operational experience in the application of advanced technologies such as gasification, pyrolysis, and biochar—all proven technologies for remediating extremely toxic carcinogen-laden waste as an alternative to the proposed plans.
We also heard sound arguments for selecting a temporary toxic waste storage site within the Lahaina burn zone, to eliminate the spread of toxic contaminants to other uncontaminated precious ocean ecosystems and the Hawaiian villages within the Olowalu Valley. Sites suggested include the already toxic site near the smoke stack in Lahaina or other nearby properties.
The County can use its legal instrument of eminent domain to acquire an appropriate site within Lahaina temporarily that is situated away from population centers to quickly contain and store waste in containers at that controlled facility for their final destination. Preferably, would find a property owner and make a deal to lease the site temporarily for a fee and agree to fully remediate it once operations are complete. This approach holds the added benefit of being fast and efficient to clear debris when located nearby.
Following that, the permanent management of waste could be done with a processing plant on Maui to neutralize toxins, decompose waste, and use the byproducts as fuel. There are many technologies provided in expert testimonies worthy of consideration.
CONCLUSION
A good government protects all of the people and our natural resources. It listens to experts and the public inputs of those they represent. We the People will not accept a toxic waste landfill with 400,000 tons of the most toxic debris on top of corals, whales, and sacred Hawaiian lands.
Maui County established an ordinance to minimize runoff of pollutants into nearshore waters and air, aquatic, and marine environments as part of its commitments to the United Nations Sustainability Goals to mitigate climate change and work toward resilience.
Even in the face of a disaster, it must remain steadfast in these commitments and adopt a collaborative, evidence-based approach to decision-making when attempting to solve the most complex problems we face today.
We are stronger when we work together and can build a brighter, more sustainable future for Maui when we do. This is an opportunity to turn a tragedy into a positive example to the outside world. A toxic waste landfill on top of a marine sanctuary and Hawaiian sacred land is not among the positive ex
The lasting effects of this aren’t being taken into consideration. Yes it’s a difficult situation, but there are many other solutions being offered and none of it is being listened to or taken seriously. Olowalu says NO there should be no more need for further discussion on that.
On behalf of Jon Kinimaka. Lahaina Resident, and want to add the fact that this whole problem is a money thing. FEMA has stated in the morning presentation that FEMA will not pay for a permanent location. That is the root of the problem. They don't want to pay top dollar to get the best job done.They wouldn't pay top dollar to prevent the potential fire disaster. Now this. Our community continues to get the short end of the stick. We need to do this job correctly and responsible the first time around, we won't get a chance to do a permanent location. This temporary site will be the last stop, which abosolutely cannot happen. Every single testifier has stated opposition to this and I hope you, the County Council will take the people's views into consideration, and not act on your own. Please show support of the people's interest for a change! Mahalo.
I strongly oppose moving forward with the Olowalu site and I’m so encouraged to see so many viable options being presented today in testimony. It is obvious that the community is not in favor of this current plan for many excellent reasons, and it’s imperative that we come up with a better one.
I was in the meeting this morning for 3 hours. Downdraft Gasification, Pyrolysis and Bio-Remediation were all advocated and are all well-documented non-toxic solutions for the toxic waste from the Lahaina fires. Choosing these options will make you heroes.
Storing toxic waste in Olowalu, when much healthier options are available, and when the vast majority of constituents are against it, is moral and political suicide. Not to mention the poisonous affect to the people, aina and ocean.
The temporary solution at Olowalu presents considerable concern for reef protection and toxicity leakage. Please continue to research safety for our aina. 🙏
That Olowalu location risks destroying one of the most beautiful and important reefs on Maui. It is also unfair to a Hawaiian community that has already lost so much. Surely there is a better location without high runoff risk.
The idea of dumping this much toxic waste in Olowaho is ludicrous. Even if the waste was there for just five minutes is beyond compression. History going back millennia would be destroyed *forever*.
Money and simplicity should NOT be the sole considerations. Send this waste offshore to a place that is "fit" for this type of debris
I STRONGLY OPPOSE DUMPING THE LAHAINA BURN WASTE IN OLOWALU*!*
I'm concerned that the placement even for a temporary site will destroy not only the land it sits on, but the farmland below, and that waste will leach into the ocean - just a few hundred yards away.
Oppose!
I strongly oppose the dumping of hazardous / toxic waste in Olowalu or anywhere on Maui!
I oppose , this is not a good site to dump toxic waste.
This is the stupidest idea. It will kill not only all the living things in the ocean but all humans, our water, showering water, ocean, etc will all be cancerous. VOTE NO.
From the perspective of sound decision-making in disaster mitigation, decision-makers must take into account the risks inherent in the natural landscape and how they intersect with populations and the surrounding ecosystem. In arguments made by the County and FEMA in favor of this landfill site, we heard reassurances about the landfill being constructed with greater strength and reinforcement than the Central Maui Landfill.
However, there are key geographic and topographic differences between the Central Maui Landfill and the proposed Olowalu site that have gone unrecognized in their analysis. The Central Maui landfill also did not contain substantial historical treasures and archeological features as does the current site at Olowalu.
The toxic landfill at Olowalu lies at the basin of a natural watershed prone to flash flooding during heavy rainfall events. Only one significant rainfall and the water will rush through this site and into the ocean located only 600 yards away. There is no engineering or construction within the site capable of retaining the volume of water that flows through the valley during heavy rainstorms. Water will be diverted and washed into the ocean and leach into the ground.
The second natural feature, but one of the most important features overlooked by the County of Maui and FEMA in their "risk analysis" is one of the world's most revered and biologically important coral reef ecosystems within the Hawaiian Islands.
Olowalu Reef is a declared Mission Blue Hope Spot (a place critical to the health of our oceans) and has been described as Maui's “Mother Reef” because it is a primary source of coral larvae for the reefs of Lana’i, Moloka’i, and West Maui.
It is a revered sanctuary within a state Conservation District for Maui’s humpback whales and whale-birthing calves and harbors the largest manta ray population in the United States. Its rich diversity of rare and unique coral species, whales, and marine life draws millions of visitors and revenue to Maui each year.
Any amount of risk to this marine environment is too much as it poses an enormous health risk to the surrounding islands and future economic risk to the whole of Maui. Our visitor industry centers around our whales, corals, and marine life and a threat to them is a threat to our collective futures.
The third feature overlooked in the County and FEMA's "risk analysis" are sacred Hawaiian cultural sites that have been ignored. As the County gives lip service to being culturally sensitive in the handling of the waste in Lahaina, it stands to desecrate significant archeological sites of importance to Hawaiians in Olowalu.
Olowalu Valley holds immense history as well as an enduring population of lineal descendants who stand to lose the most treasured thing within their culture—the land. These people of the Olowalu Valley are the same ones who taught us to aloha ʻāina, and they now face toxic waste poisoning from prevailing winds frequent in the valley that will lift toxic soil and ash and deposit it into their kalo farms, and the ocean—poisoning both food supplies.
FEMA reassured participants in today's meeting that the toxicity of this waste only has a 90-day shelf life. The scientific community knows better.
The wealth of research contained in the attached fact sheet from the National Institute of Health, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the World Health Organization, and countless others verify the lethality and longevity of the types of compounds and toxins in wildfire debris such as dioxin. These are heavily prevalent in urban wildfire settings and are "forever toxins." Dioxin in particular has no safe limits for exposure according to the scientific literature.
Attached with this testimony is the “Wildfire Guide to Recovery” highlighting the very serious concern dioxin poses to our population and marine ecosystem. It is used by fire departments and remediation teams throughout the United States including CalFire, the California Fire Chief's Association, the California Emergency Management Agency, and hundreds of wildfire control and debris remediation organizations.
Finally, despite the design plans presented by the County of Maui for the Olowalu Toxic Waste Landfill, chemical and biological engineers who have expertise in the construction of similar toxic landfill sites, found enormous shortcomings in structural integrity. The porous cinder rock and loose sediment foundation of the dump and its liner, slated to hold 400,000 tons of debris, is NOT architecturally sound or stable.
The positioning of the dump in a watershed atop loose sediment makes it subject to rapid erosion, especially during rainfall events. As erosion occurs, the foundation of the liner will shift, creating stress along seams, and tearing. When this happens, the leaching of toxins will occur. According to the EPA, even under low-stress conditions devoid of these concerns, all landfills eventually fail due to leaching into the surrounding environment. This is cited in the fact sheet data and research document attached.
Forever poisons like dioxin within urban wildfire debris are proven to leach and eventually, all landfills fail according to the EPA's findings. Long-term research has been conducted on similar sites constructed adjacent to coral reef systems—some of which are now classified as the most toxic reefs in the world (See attached research on Bermuda's toxic landfill by the see and effects of dioxin on marine life). These sites cannot be remediated.
Even small amounts of dioxin particulate matter can cause serious harm to the health of the people of Maui and our marine life including cancer, sterility, birth defects, neurological disorders, and more. Dioxin also bioaccumulates in the food chain, making it impossible to remove or effectively remediate. Once the damage is done, there is no going back, hence its classification as a "forever" poison. The cost is truly incalculable and will present itself well into the future and create irreparable injury to the people, ecosystem, and economy of Maui.
The County would be hard-pressed to find a single expert versed in multivariate risk analysis to agree that the current site is acceptable given its proximity to a natural watershed atop loose sediment, with a popular recreational and surf area for children and thousands of visitors beneath it; as well as the most vital coral reef ecosystem spawning life for nearby islands and a marine sanctuary for hundreds of birthing humpback whales and their babies.
These concerns were echoed in today's meeting by experts who possess far greater knowledge of the scientific risks and technological advancements that provide alternatives to this plan. Hundreds (possibly nearing a thousand) of people spoke out in extreme opposition to the temporary and permanent toxic waste landfill sites selected to house 400,000 tons of the most lethal chemical compounds and carcinogens known to mankind.
This will become Maui's "Red Hill" disaster, but sadly, there will be no amount of money capable of remediating its effects long-term.
ALTERNATIVES FOR CONSIDERATION
Among the experts who testified in opposition were university specialists in bioremediation, the world's most respected and celebrated marine biologist Sylvia Earle, chemical and biological engineers with expertise in the construction of toxic waste landfills and disposal of toxic debris, and engineers with operational experience in the application of advanced technologies such as gasification, pyrolysis, and biochar—all proven technologies for remediating extremely toxic carcinogen-laden waste as an alternative to the proposed plans.
We also heard sound arguments for selecting a temporary toxic waste storage site within the Lahaina burn zone, to eliminate the spread of toxic contaminants to other uncontaminated precious ocean ecosystems and the Hawaiian villages within the Olowalu Valley. Sites suggested include the already toxic site near the smoke stack in Lahaina or other nearby properties.
The County can use its legal instrument of eminent domain to acquire an appropriate site within Lahaina temporarily that is situated away from population centers to quickly contain and store waste in containers at that controlled facility for their final destination. Preferably, would find a property owner and make a deal to lease the site temporarily for a fee and agree to fully remediate it once operations are complete. This approach holds the added benefit of being fast and efficient to clear debris when located nearby.
Following that, the permanent management of waste could be done with a processing plant on Maui to neutralize toxins, decompose waste, and use the byproducts as fuel. There are many technologies provided in expert testimonies worthy of consideration.
CONCLUSION
A good government protects all of the people and our natural resources. It listens to experts and the public inputs of those they represent. We the People will not accept a toxic waste landfill with 400,000 tons of the most toxic debris on top of corals, whales, and sacred Hawaiian lands.
Maui County established an ordinance to minimize runoff of pollutants into nearshore waters and air, aquatic, and marine environments as part of its commitments to the United Nations Sustainability Goals to mitigate climate change and work toward resilience.
Even in the face of a disaster, it must remain steadfast in these commitments and adopt a collaborative, evidence-based approach to decision-making when attempting to solve the most complex problems we face today.
We are stronger when we work together and can build a brighter, more sustainable future for Maui when we do. This is an opportunity to turn a tragedy into a positive example to the outside world. A toxic waste landfill on top of a marine sanctuary and Hawaiian sacred land is not among the positive ex
The lasting effects of this aren’t being taken into consideration. Yes it’s a difficult situation, but there are many other solutions being offered and none of it is being listened to or taken seriously. Olowalu says NO there should be no more need for further discussion on that.
On behalf of Jon Kinimaka. Lahaina Resident, and want to add the fact that this whole problem is a money thing. FEMA has stated in the morning presentation that FEMA will not pay for a permanent location. That is the root of the problem. They don't want to pay top dollar to get the best job done.They wouldn't pay top dollar to prevent the potential fire disaster. Now this. Our community continues to get the short end of the stick. We need to do this job correctly and responsible the first time around, we won't get a chance to do a permanent location. This temporary site will be the last stop, which abosolutely cannot happen. Every single testifier has stated opposition to this and I hope you, the County Council will take the people's views into consideration, and not act on your own. Please show support of the people's interest for a change! Mahalo.
This is deadly to all humans and animals alike. Deadly to our earth and sea.
Stop making stupid decisions.
You are creating a superfund site
I strongly oppose moving forward with the Olowalu site and I’m so encouraged to see so many viable options being presented today in testimony. It is obvious that the community is not in favor of this current plan for many excellent reasons, and it’s imperative that we come up with a better one.
I was in the meeting this morning for 3 hours. Downdraft Gasification, Pyrolysis and Bio-Remediation were all advocated and are all well-documented non-toxic solutions for the toxic waste from the Lahaina fires. Choosing these options will make you heroes.
Storing toxic waste in Olowalu, when much healthier options are available, and when the vast majority of constituents are against it, is moral and political suicide. Not to mention the poisonous affect to the people, aina and ocean.
The temporary solution at Olowalu presents considerable concern for reef protection and toxicity leakage. Please continue to research safety for our aina. 🙏
Oppose
I think this is not a well thought out option!
I strongly appose this !!!
That Olowalu location risks destroying one of the most beautiful and important reefs on Maui. It is also unfair to a Hawaiian community that has already lost so much. Surely there is a better location without high runoff risk.
Olowalu is a bad location for toxic waste
The idea of dumping this much toxic waste in Olowaho is ludicrous. Even if the waste was there for just five minutes is beyond compression. History going back millennia would be destroyed *forever*.
Money and simplicity should NOT be the sole considerations. Send this waste offshore to a place that is "fit" for this type of debris
I STRONGLY OPPOSE DUMPING THE LAHAINA BURN WASTE IN OLOWALU*!*
I'm concerned that the placement even for a temporary site will destroy not only the land it sits on, but the farmland below, and that waste will leach into the ocean - just a few hundred yards away.