do NOT dump the Lahaina debris contains elevated levels of toxic arsenic, antimony, cobalt, copper, and lead, along with carcinogenic dioxins at Olowalu ..... the PEOPLE do not want it and you work for us! mahalo, Juhl Rayne
All of this needs to be removed from the Hawaiian Islands. Do it right! Stop the destruction of HAWAII. Enough already. We can not let this happen on this tiny island to much at risk. Why is it ok that 15-20 yrs from now these liners will fail? Why is it ok to destroy the water, humans, Maui & the ocean 15-20 years from now? WHY? Why spend money & risk moving it twice, that's REALLY dumb! It will NOT take billions to move it off Maui! Listen to professionals not some uneducated people making money off this deal. This is insane. Shame on you. The people trying to do this to Maui, Do Not Love MAUI.
NO to dumping toxic waste in Olowalu. WHY is the excavation currently underway before the people have a chance to weigh in? Who authorized the excavation? This is one of the worst options you could consider, yet the work is already being done? Shame on all of you. Stop the excavation now until a solution is decided upon that the people of Maui AGREE to live with. Money is NO excuse for contaminating Maui and it’s people. It’s time the county listen to the people! You all work for US! I have heard it reported that the proposed liner will not last more than 27 years, this info directly from the manufacturer. This is with NO breeches/breaks in it while the work is being done. The dumping will poison the aquifer, surface water, land, farms and ocean forever! Stop!
Hawai'i Unites is opposed to the use of Olowalu as a temporary and as a permanent disposal site for toxic waste from the August 2023 Lahaina fires. The community has been actively speaking out against this plan, expressing serious concerns about the risks to the health of our island’s people, wildlife, and ‘āina. The Lahaina debris contains elevated levels of toxic arsenic, antimony, cobalt, copper, and lead, along with carcinogenic dioxins. The Olowalu landfill is being constructed under emergency proclamation, and environmental protections are being suspended. Olowalu is a culturally and historically significant site and an important natural resource area. The nearby Olowalu reef is critical to the health of Hawai‘i’s oceans.
Please take the time to study this further and explore safer alternatives, including organic remediations, alternate sites and methods, and off-island disposal. This current plan is government overreach that could have catastrophic impacts on our island home for generations to come.
Mahalo,
Tina Lia
Founder
Hawai'i Unites
HawaiiUnites.org
I strongly oppose using Olowalu as a toxic waste dump site. Please look at the alternatives such as shipping the waste to a mainland facility. Dumping this waste in Olowalu without an environmental study is absolute madness. Please protect the residents of Maui and the marine environment from this toxicity.
"Temporary" dumping of toxic debris upstream of Mother Reef & Whale Mating habitat above near cultural sites above our fragile water table could create nontemporary ecological damage. Why not stage the debris (minus the ʻiwi, which can be incorporated in a memorial monument) in a part of the burn zone that is already contaminated until it can be removed from the island & brought to one of the few mainland sites that are equipped to deal with it? Why contaminate another area of environmental & cultural significance when the debris can be moved off island or brought to the central landfill with protective measures further away from the ocean?
The EPA has said that "no toxic site is safe, they all leach over time due to degradation of the materials." The people of Lahaina, Olowalu and all of Maui have spoken loud and clear that Olowalu cannot be turned into a toxic dump site either temporarily or ever. Toxic chemicals will runoff and pollute the ocean with harmful toxins. These chemicals will pollute the land and affect nearby farms and animals in Lahaina and Olowalu, and spread by air to other areas. Bisson must listen to the will of the people who oppose this dangerous action.
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) offers the following COMMENTS to the Maui County Council regarding the August 2023 Maui Wildfires Temporary Debris Disposal Site (TDDS) and Final Debris Disposal Site (FDDS) in Olowalu.
Aloha, I have attached two maps, one showing a drone orthomosaic that I made of the Olowalu temporary site on December 26th, and the other showing a zoomed in elevation hillshade that highlights landscape features. My data is not survey grade but is aligned to State of Hawai'i LiDAR data. There are some distorted areas as I could not fly directly over workers for full coverage, but the outer edges match other layers and should be accurate to about a meter. There are three TMKs affected by the current work, 248003039, 248003007, and 248003008.
I created a web map that also includes the image above and also elevation models: https://daygeckoart.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=c1d52dca8ef54a98a887d5f0c5c393af
My files are available to download here and I am releasing them for use by Council or the County of Maui executive branch but not any private entities: https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=kZO9ek0ZrHWcpDMfdlLMPkVze2gDazgNjnMX
Council should be aware that there is photogrammetry being done, possibly by Alpha or a subcontractor as there are ground control points visible on the ground in my orthomosaic. I suggest that Council ask the administration for this data as it is generated in order to keep tabs on the work, and also as a historical archive. The original drone photos, GPS data, LiDAR scans, etc should all be permanently archived by the County otherwise it will disappear.
I want to address one subject that CM Tom Cook and the WAI Committee asked DEM about. He wrote:
"How does community opposition from lineal descendants of West Maui factor into
the Department's decision making for Bill 120?"
DEM replied:
"The Department is committed to listening and to the extent possible responding to
the concerns of lineal descendants and the entire Lahaina community in siting a
final disposition site for the Lahaina fire debris. The Department is responsible to
make decisions that best protect human health and the environment. No matter
where a final site is placed, the impact to nearby residents is always considered and
weighed against what is best for the whole of the community."
DEM didn't really answer Tom Cook's question. The views of lineal and cultural descendants of Olowalu should be taken into consideration in designing the site and mitigating impacts. If there are cultural sites and burials in the area they should be marked and protected as they would be for a normally permitted project. I do not know what power the Council has in an emergency like this but perhaps archaeological monitoring by a reputable archaeologist could be required. If an archaeologist or firm is being investigated by the State of Hawai'i, they should be disqualified.
On my imagery and the State LiDAR data I can see that the top of the pu'u is a circular plateau south of the quarried area. If this is a natural feature, it should be protected from damage.
I also believe the nature of the "debris" should be made clear to the public. The USACE representative was asked about human remains and gave a carefully worded answer citing protocols. But the reality was not addressed, that human remains could exist anywhere in the ash, and in the 6-12 inches of soil that will be removed. Many households keep ashes of loved ones and of course there are buried Native Hawaiians in the ground. The public should understand that the nature of the debris is a factor in choosing a site. The debris cannot be treated like trash because it may include sacred human remains, as well as artifacts and the soil itself.
I am opposed to dumping Toxic Waste in Oluwalu that will leach into the soil & into the ocean, polluting & killing land animals, marine life & endangering those that swim, dive & fish in the waters of the surrounding areas causing various cancers and poisoning the entire region for many, many years. There will be no way to clean it up! It is also a danger to our food supply, especially for local fishmen that will sell their catch in markets, endangering all those that consume their catch. I am also concerned that extremely dangerous toxins will be picked up by the strong winds that blow through the area of Oluwalu and spread these toxins all over Maui & even to other Islands in the Hawaiian chain. This hazardous waste should Not & Must Not be allowed to be dumped in Olowalu or any other area that would endanger our Land, Water, Fauna & Flora & our Beautiful Beaches & Our Ocean. The Army Corp of engineers must be Stopped their Illegal Preparations for this Foolish & Very Dangerous Toxic Dump. We need to Learn from History, we need to listen to what the People want, especially the Hawaiian & Local Community in Maui, but also All of Hawaii. As a Citizen of Hawaii I Stand With All of Those That Oppose This
do NOT dump the Lahaina debris contains elevated levels of toxic arsenic, antimony, cobalt, copper, and lead, along with carcinogenic dioxins at Olowalu ..... the PEOPLE do not want it and you work for us! mahalo, Juhl Rayne
All of this needs to be removed from the Hawaiian Islands. Do it right! Stop the destruction of HAWAII. Enough already. We can not let this happen on this tiny island to much at risk. Why is it ok that 15-20 yrs from now these liners will fail? Why is it ok to destroy the water, humans, Maui & the ocean 15-20 years from now? WHY? Why spend money & risk moving it twice, that's REALLY dumb! It will NOT take billions to move it off Maui! Listen to professionals not some uneducated people making money off this deal. This is insane. Shame on you. The people trying to do this to Maui, Do Not Love MAUI.
NO to dumping toxic waste in Olowalu. WHY is the excavation currently underway before the people have a chance to weigh in? Who authorized the excavation? This is one of the worst options you could consider, yet the work is already being done? Shame on all of you. Stop the excavation now until a solution is decided upon that the people of Maui AGREE to live with. Money is NO excuse for contaminating Maui and it’s people. It’s time the county listen to the people! You all work for US! I have heard it reported that the proposed liner will not last more than 27 years, this info directly from the manufacturer. This is with NO breeches/breaks in it while the work is being done. The dumping will poison the aquifer, surface water, land, farms and ocean forever! Stop!
I do not agree with the location of dump sites.
Sacred lands so close to the ocean which is such an integral part of Maui ways of life, should NOT be compromised!
Hawai'i Unites is opposed to the use of Olowalu as a temporary and as a permanent disposal site for toxic waste from the August 2023 Lahaina fires. The community has been actively speaking out against this plan, expressing serious concerns about the risks to the health of our island’s people, wildlife, and ‘āina. The Lahaina debris contains elevated levels of toxic arsenic, antimony, cobalt, copper, and lead, along with carcinogenic dioxins. The Olowalu landfill is being constructed under emergency proclamation, and environmental protections are being suspended. Olowalu is a culturally and historically significant site and an important natural resource area. The nearby Olowalu reef is critical to the health of Hawai‘i’s oceans.
Please take the time to study this further and explore safer alternatives, including organic remediations, alternate sites and methods, and off-island disposal. This current plan is government overreach that could have catastrophic impacts on our island home for generations to come.
Mahalo,
Tina Lia
Founder
Hawai'i Unites
HawaiiUnites.org
I strongly oppose using Olowalu as a toxic waste dump site. Please look at the alternatives such as shipping the waste to a mainland facility. Dumping this waste in Olowalu without an environmental study is absolute madness. Please protect the residents of Maui and the marine environment from this toxicity.
"Temporary" dumping of toxic debris upstream of Mother Reef & Whale Mating habitat above near cultural sites above our fragile water table could create nontemporary ecological damage. Why not stage the debris (minus the ʻiwi, which can be incorporated in a memorial monument) in a part of the burn zone that is already contaminated until it can be removed from the island & brought to one of the few mainland sites that are equipped to deal with it? Why contaminate another area of environmental & cultural significance when the debris can be moved off island or brought to the central landfill with protective measures further away from the ocean?
The EPA has said that "no toxic site is safe, they all leach over time due to degradation of the materials." The people of Lahaina, Olowalu and all of Maui have spoken loud and clear that Olowalu cannot be turned into a toxic dump site either temporarily or ever. Toxic chemicals will runoff and pollute the ocean with harmful toxins. These chemicals will pollute the land and affect nearby farms and animals in Lahaina and Olowalu, and spread by air to other areas. Bisson must listen to the will of the people who oppose this dangerous action.
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) offers the following COMMENTS to the Maui County Council regarding the August 2023 Maui Wildfires Temporary Debris Disposal Site (TDDS) and Final Debris Disposal Site (FDDS) in Olowalu.
Aloha, I have attached two maps, one showing a drone orthomosaic that I made of the Olowalu temporary site on December 26th, and the other showing a zoomed in elevation hillshade that highlights landscape features. My data is not survey grade but is aligned to State of Hawai'i LiDAR data. There are some distorted areas as I could not fly directly over workers for full coverage, but the outer edges match other layers and should be accurate to about a meter. There are three TMKs affected by the current work, 248003039, 248003007, and 248003008.
I created a web map that also includes the image above and also elevation models: https://daygeckoart.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=c1d52dca8ef54a98a887d5f0c5c393af
My files are available to download here and I am releasing them for use by Council or the County of Maui executive branch but not any private entities: https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=kZO9ek0ZrHWcpDMfdlLMPkVze2gDazgNjnMX
Council should be aware that there is photogrammetry being done, possibly by Alpha or a subcontractor as there are ground control points visible on the ground in my orthomosaic. I suggest that Council ask the administration for this data as it is generated in order to keep tabs on the work, and also as a historical archive. The original drone photos, GPS data, LiDAR scans, etc should all be permanently archived by the County otherwise it will disappear.
I want to address one subject that CM Tom Cook and the WAI Committee asked DEM about. He wrote:
"How does community opposition from lineal descendants of West Maui factor into
the Department's decision making for Bill 120?"
DEM replied:
"The Department is committed to listening and to the extent possible responding to
the concerns of lineal descendants and the entire Lahaina community in siting a
final disposition site for the Lahaina fire debris. The Department is responsible to
make decisions that best protect human health and the environment. No matter
where a final site is placed, the impact to nearby residents is always considered and
weighed against what is best for the whole of the community."
DEM didn't really answer Tom Cook's question. The views of lineal and cultural descendants of Olowalu should be taken into consideration in designing the site and mitigating impacts. If there are cultural sites and burials in the area they should be marked and protected as they would be for a normally permitted project. I do not know what power the Council has in an emergency like this but perhaps archaeological monitoring by a reputable archaeologist could be required. If an archaeologist or firm is being investigated by the State of Hawai'i, they should be disqualified.
On my imagery and the State LiDAR data I can see that the top of the pu'u is a circular plateau south of the quarried area. If this is a natural feature, it should be protected from damage.
I also believe the nature of the "debris" should be made clear to the public. The USACE representative was asked about human remains and gave a carefully worded answer citing protocols. But the reality was not addressed, that human remains could exist anywhere in the ash, and in the 6-12 inches of soil that will be removed. Many households keep ashes of loved ones and of course there are buried Native Hawaiians in the ground. The public should understand that the nature of the debris is a factor in choosing a site. The debris cannot be treated like trash because it may include sacred human remains, as well as artifacts and the soil itself.
Mahalo,
Johann Peter Lall
Kihei, HI
I am opposed to dumping Toxic Waste in Oluwalu that will leach into the soil & into the ocean, polluting & killing land animals, marine life & endangering those that swim, dive & fish in the waters of the surrounding areas causing various cancers and poisoning the entire region for many, many years. There will be no way to clean it up! It is also a danger to our food supply, especially for local fishmen that will sell their catch in markets, endangering all those that consume their catch. I am also concerned that extremely dangerous toxins will be picked up by the strong winds that blow through the area of Oluwalu and spread these toxins all over Maui & even to other Islands in the Hawaiian chain. This hazardous waste should Not & Must Not be allowed to be dumped in Olowalu or any other area that would endanger our Land, Water, Fauna & Flora & our Beautiful Beaches & Our Ocean. The Army Corp of engineers must be Stopped their Illegal Preparations for this Foolish & Very Dangerous Toxic Dump. We need to Learn from History, we need to listen to what the People want, especially the Hawaiian & Local Community in Maui, but also All of Hawaii. As a Citizen of Hawaii I Stand With All of Those That Oppose This