Maui Recovers – Lahaina Re-Entry Frequently Asked Questions (TPD2310020)

Can I let someone else use my pass? Do I have to use the same vehicle every time I enter my zone?

Your vehicle pass is tied to your identity as the property owner, and it’s essential that the driver’s license matches the name on the pass. This ensures security and proper access to your designated zone.

However, you have the flexibility to use different vehicles when entering, as long as you are the pass holder.

 

What personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided?

PPE items have been donated, and kits are being assembled by local volunteer organizations. These kits will be made available when people register for entry passes. Visitors to the area should wear sturdy boots or other closed-toe shoes (no slippers) with thick soles, and eye protection. Adults should use the materials provided in the Re-Entry kit or similar forms of protective gear, including face masks, goggles and gloves, long sleeves, pants, socks, and shoes (including disposable shoe coverings) to avoid skin contact with ash. Cloth masks will not protect you from ash. Instead, state DOH recommends wearing a tight-fitting respirator or mask – look for words NIOSH or N95 printed on the mask. Remember, no mask is effective unless it fits and is worn properly.

 

What is the Lahaina Wildfire Disaster Area?

The Lahaina Wildfire Disaster Area holds hazardous debris and includes the area delineated by government-placed barriers. This area was determined by Mayor Richard Bissen’s Third Emergency Proclamation Relating to Wildfires effective Aug. 15. Entry into the Lahaina Wildfire Disaster area remains prohibited unless authorized by law, due to health and safety risks and to protect against criminal property damage. Properties damaged by fire and by wind in this and other Maui areas may be eligible for FEMA assistance.

 

What do I need to prove residency or ownership of my property, to get a re-entry Vehicle Pass?

• Property Deed or Title: A property deed or title in your name is one of the most direct ways to demonstrate ownership. This document should clearly show your name as the property owner.
• Utility Bills: Utility bills such as electricity, water, or gas bills that are addressed to your name at the property address can serve as proof of residency. These bills should be recent and show consistent usage.
• Property Tax Records: Property tax records from the County’s RPT office that list you as the property owner are strong evidence of ownership. Visit: www.mauipropertytax.com
• Lease Agreement: If you have been renting, a lease agreement with your name, the landlord’s name, and the property address can establish your residency.
• Hawaii Driver’s License: A valid Hawaii driver’s license with your current address is a widely accepted proof of residency.
• Vehicle Registration: If your vehicle is registered at the property address, it can indicate your residency.
• Voter Registration: A voter registration card listing your address in Lahaina can be used to confirm your residency.
• Financial Statements: Financial statements sent to your Lahaina address can help establish residency, especially if they cover an extended period. Driver’s license or identification card, Tax records or financial statements, Voter registration or court documents, Vehicle registration form, Employment agency registration or pay stubs or checks)
• Insurance Documents: Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies with your Lahaina address can be used as proof of residency.
• Notarized Affidavit: In some cases, a notarized affidavit from a property owner or landlord confirming your residency or ownership may be accepted.

 

 

Soiltac®

Why is soil stabilizer being used on Maui?

Applying a stabilization product like Soiltac® will prevent health effects from exposure to ash and soot from the wildfire and limit the spread of this material in the community further reducing human exposure. Because it binds the ash and soot it will also help to prevent runoff of hazardous materials to the ocean or nearby streams that lead to the ocean.

In the short term, exposure to ash and soot can lead to respiratory irritation (sneezing, coughing, shortness of breath, hay fever, and asthma attacks for people with asthma), eye irritation (leading to conjunctivitis and enhanced susceptibility to eye infections), and skin irritation (dermatitis). Prolonged exposure increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower respiratory infections, and death.

 

Is Soiltac® Toxic?

No. EPA has reviewed proprietary data on Soiltac®, and confirms that it is non-toxic.

 

Is Soiltac® biodegradable?

EPA does not consider Soiltac® to be biodegradable.

Soil stabilizer is not intended to be a permanent solution for ash and dust control. It will be removed from properties during the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) phase two debris removal operations.

 

Is Soiltac® a microplastic? Will it increase the microplastics entering the environment?

The liquid form of Soiltac® proposed for use in Lahaina does not contain microplastics. While the liquid form does meet the federal definition of a plastic [an organic or synthetic polymer liquid that is solid in its final form and is shaped by flow, 40 CFR § 463.2 (f)], once applied the material will form a crust that will prevent ash and dust from migrating into the environment, including microplastics present in the ash as a result of burned plastic materials in the homes. In the event that the Soiltac® is disturbed, either through foot traffic or other physical disturbance, EPA does not anticipate that the crust can break into particles small enough to be considered a microplastics issue. This is also a temporary solution that will be removed from the properties during the Phase 2 ash and debris removal.

 

Can residents opt out of soil stabilizer application?

In order to protect the health of residents in and around Lahaina as well as the fragile ocean ecosystem, soil stabilizer will be applied to all properties in Lahaina.

 

Will soil stabilizer harm wildlife?

No. EPA considered ecological impacts of soil stabilizers when preparing its recommendations. Based on observations from applications of the soil, we do not expect any risk to wildlife during the application process. During the applications of Soiltac® in Kula, the stabilizer was sticky like painter’s tape for about 20 minutes. The Soiltac® was no longer sticky after about an hour after application.

 

What does ash and debris look like after it is treated with soil stabilizer?

EPA recommended Soiltac® because it is a transparent and non-toxic stabilizer/tackifier that is commonly used on sites for dust and erosion control. The transparency of the product is important in the context of the Maui Wildfire Response Phase 2 removal effort by USACE, as the ash and debris must be visible to Phase 2 personnel.

 

Will soil stabilizer negatively affect the environment?

Any potential environmental concerns from the use of a non-toxic soil stabilizer will be vastly outweighed by the benefits of preventing dust and ash from dispersing in the environment.

 

Did EPA consider other soil stabilizer options?

Yes. EPA evaluated a number of options and found Soiltac® to be the best available product for this response. Considerations included impacts on flora and fauna (EPA did not want to use a product that would entrap wildlife), the color of the product (it must be clear), toxicity, and the availability of technical information for prompt and thorough review.

 

Has Soiltac® been used elsewhere?

Soiltac® is commonly used on sites for dust and erosion control. It has been used at multiple EPA cleanup sites, including Alameda Point IR Site 2, directly adjacent to the San Francisco Bay, and Iron King-Humboldt Smelter in Yavapai County, Arizona. The California Environmental Protection Agency Department of Toxic Substances and Control oversaw the application of Soiltac® in a removal action in Fresno, CA (DTSC 2006). It has also been used by the County of San Mateo, California in the construction of a pump track for bicyclists at Quarry Park, which is half a mile from Half Moon Bay. Soiltac® has been used at multiple Olympics in the last twenty years as well as in neighborhood parks. It has also been used by branches in the United States Department of Defense, both internationally and domestically. For any additional information regarding the above uses please visit: https://soilworks.com/reference-library.

 

How long will the soil stabilizer be effective?

Without disturbing it, soil stabilizer is effective for four to six months.

 

When will soil stabilizer be removed?

Treated ash and debris will be removed by USACE during phase 2 operations.

 

Drinking Water

Is our water safe to drink?
Unsafe Water Advisories issued by the County of Maui Department of Water Supply are still in effect for the following areas:

• Upper Kula
• Lahaina

An interactive map is available and depicts the precise location of the Unsafe Water Advisories.

Updates to advisories will be provided based on monitoring results.

 

What are VOCs?
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that easily evaporate into the air. Examples of common VOCs include benzene, toluene, trichloroethylene (TCE), and perchloroethylene (PCE). VOCs are commonly used in consumer products (e.g., plastics, paints, cleaning products, adhesives) and can be released from building materials (e.g., carpet, linoleum, composite wood products, insulation). They can also be released into the environment in smoke from wildfires, building fires, and the burning of wood, oil, or gas. Review a VOC fact sheet for additional information.

Does the EPA regulate VOCs in household products?
Yes.

 

Does reverse osmosis remove VOCs?
By itself, the reverse osmosis process cannot take out VOCs. The VOCs will pass through the membrane just like oxygen does. Reverse osmosis systems will only take out VOCs, if they have a carbon pre-filter or post-filter. Contact the manufacturer for specific capacities of your system. Keep in mind that filtration systems require regular maintenance/preventative maintenance in order to work properly.

 

Are VOCs dangerous?

It is difficult to generalize the dangers of waterborne VOCs because there are so many different variations of them. Furthermore, there has not been extensive testing done to determine the health risks posed by many of the household products that release VOCs. But, there is evidence exposure to VOCs has negative side effects. According to the EPA, volatile organic compounds are associated with irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, loss of coordination, and nausea. Prolonged exposure can cause damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. Whether or not they are carcinogenic is still contested. Some organics have manifested as cancerous in animals, and there are some that are suspected to cause cancer in human beings.

 

What do the drinking water sample test result terms mean?

• Method Detection Limit: refers to a minimum concentration of an analyte that can be measured above the instrument background noise.
• Reporting Limit: the minimum level above which an analyte can be detected and quantified with statistical confidence.
• Instrument background noise: Instruments have detectors that convert any target analyte entering the detector into an electrical signal that can be measured. Using a calibration curve, this signal can be converted into a concentration. Instrument noise is due to the normal, random generation of electrical signals from sources other than the target analyte. Some causes are radiation, magnetic fields, loose connections or static. They have nothing to do with the specific sample being analyzed.
• MCL: The maximum concentration level or (MCL) is the maximum concentration of a chemical that is allowed in public drinking water systems. The MCL is established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
• μg/L: The symbol μg = microgram. One microgram is one-millionth of a gram and one-thousandth of a milligram. So if the MCL reads 2 μg/L that is 2 micrograms per liter. It is also referred to as parts per billion (ppb).
• ND: not detected.

 

How will the Department of Water Supply decide how and when to lift the unsafe water advisory?

The decision to lift the advisory will be made based on multiple lines of evidence to include but not limited to:

• Water Quality Sampling/Testing
• Water Hydraulics
• Flushing
• Elevation
• Data Analysis

 

What are the County’s next steps? The Department of Water Supply will:

• Continue to update as evidence suggests;
• Continue water quality sampling/testing;
• Monitor the system once the advisory is lifted through future sampling/testing;
• Release those future test results to the public

 

What should people do in the meantime till water is deemed safe?

Failure to follow this advisory could result in illness. Due to the wildfires, some structures in the water system were either destroyed or damaged. These conditions may have caused harmful contaminants, including volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), to enter the water system. As a precaution, the Hawai’i State Department of Health and the County of Maui Department of Water Supply are advising residents of the affected area as follows:

 

DO NOT DRINK YOUR TAP WATER

Bottled water or potable water provided by the Department of Water Supply must be used for drinking (including making baby formula and juice), brushing teeth, making ice, and food preparation.

 

DO NOT TRY TO TREAT THE WATER YOURSELF

Boiling, freezing, filtering, adding chlorine or other disinfectants or letting water stand will not make the water safe. If volatile organic compound (VOC) contamination is suspected or detected, boiling water could release VOCs into the air.

 

Please adhere to the following additional guidance if your home or business is within the Unsafe Water Advisory Areas:

• Do not use tap water for any consumptive purpose, including drinking, cooking, or brushing your teeth.
• Do not use ice from automatic ice makers.
• Use cold water to wash clothing or other items. Dry laundry outdoors.
• Take showers instead of baths.
• Limit shower time. Use lukewarm water and ventilate the area.
• Use a dishwasher to wash dishes. Turn it to the air dry setting.
• Do not use pools or hot tubs.
• Use proper ventilation when using water indoors.

 

Where can I find potable water?

Tankers offering free, safe potable water are positioned at the sites listed below. You can also view the map above for assistance in locating tankers (tanker locations are identified with a green water drop).

Important note for collecting potable water from tankers: Please bring large, sterilized water containers to collect your water. Use only clean, dedicated, food-grade containers to transport water. Containers that have held food can transfer odors to the drinking water and should not be used for water storage. Wash containers thoroughly with dishwashing soap, sanitize using one teaspoon of mild liquid chlorine bleach per quart of water, and then rinse thoroughly. Fill containers to the top, leaving as little air as possible.

Store in a cool, dark area. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers more information at ready.gov/water.

 

Lahaina safe potable water tanker locations:

• Kahoma Village Loop / Puunoa Place intersection
• Lahaina Gateway, 325 Keawe Street
• Kapunakea Street / Ainakea Road intersection
• Kanakea Place / Kaakolu Streetintersection
• Kelawea Mauka Park Parking Lot
• Ainakea Road / Kaniau Road intersection
• Aa Street / Kaniau Road intersection
• Parking lot on the north side of the Leialii Parkway-Hooli Street intersection

 

Upper Kula safe potable water tanker locations:

• Kula Lodge, 15200 Haleakala Highway
• Copp Road / Kula Road intersection

Wastewater

Can I flush my toilet or let water run down the drain if my wastewater service is interrupted?
No; if the Wastewater Service maps show that you do not have functioning sewer service, please DO NOT flush toilets or allow water down any household drain. Although your toilet may flush and water may drain initially, if the service is not functional, you risk eventual sewage backing up in the house.

 

What are the County of Maui’s next steps to restore wastewater service in impacted areas of West Maui?

The County of Maui Wastewater Reclamation Division is working to:

• Restore Wastewater Pump Station 4 at Mala Wharf in order to provide services to Kahoma Village: and Upper Kapunakea Houselots Subdivision No. 2: Nahale Place, Ipukula Way and Kapunkea Street
  (mauka of Honoapiilani Highway)
• Restore service to the Lahaina Cannery Mall and commercial sites makai of the property
• Flush and assess other lines within the fire-impacted area
• Repair Wastewater Pump Station 5 and 6 and the associated service areas
• Restore service to Wastewater Pump Station 7 serving the Puamana Area

 

Fire Debris Removal

 

What is the process for cleanup and removal of fire debris? Fire debris removal is broken down into two phases:

Phase 1: Hazardous Materials Removal is the removal of hazardous materials that may impact human health, animals and the environment through exposure. In coordination with the County of Maui and the State of Hawai‘i, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has assigned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to survey, remove and dispose of hazardous material from all properties impacted by the wildfires in Lahaina, Kula and Olinda.

Hazardous materials could include compressed gas cylinders, pesticides, paints, oils, fertilizers, ammunition and batteries (including lithium-ion batteries, particularly household solar battery storage systems). These items can contain hazardous ingredients and require special handling and disposal.

Phase 2: Fire Debris Removal is the removal of the remaining structural ash and debris and may include soil testing. The County of Maui, State of Hawai‘i, FEMA and local officials will coordinate with the U.S Army Corps of Engineers to offer a Consolidated Debris Removal Program. The program will allow the Corps to conduct the safe removal and handling of fire-damaged debris from destroyed properties.

A private fire debris removal process will be established for those who want to opt out of the Consolidated Debris Removal Program. The County is currently working to develop the process, guidance documents and forms for private contractor fire debris removal and will have the information published soon.

 

Is participation in both Phase 1 and 2 of the debris removal process mandatory?

Yes, fire-impacted properties with eligible debris are required to complete both Phase 1 and 2 of the program.

For Phase 1, all properties are required to have hazardous materials and waste removed. These items can be hazardous and require special handling and disposal. The EPA will complete this process for all fire- impacted properties. Phase 1 of the Program is being conducted at no cost to property owners.

Phase 2 debris removal by the Corps is optional; however, properties that opt out of this option are still required to provide for the timely removal of hazardous debris fields, and deadlines will be set by the County. Removal by a private contractor is authorized but must be done at the homeowner’s expense, and work done must meet or exceed the standards set by local, state and federal agencies. This includes compliance with all legal requirements for handling, disposal at authorized disposal sites, soil sampling and transportation. In addition, best management practices must be utilized along with work activity documentation and erosion control.

 

What debris is eligible for Phase 2 of the Consolidated Debris Removal Program?

Agreements are still being finalized, however it is expected that Phase 2 will include debris and ash removal related to any structures on residential properties that are at least 120 square feet. Driveways will be retained as much as possible, both for possible reuse and also to serve as a staging area for debris removal and rebuilding equipment. In many cases, concrete driveways have been weakened as a result of the heat from the fire and may crack easily during this phase.

 

How will I know that the process has started and completed?

Phase 1 is currently underway; EPA will post a sign on each property when hazardous waste removal is complete, and will also notify the broader community when hazardous materials removal is completed in an entire neighborhood. View EPA’s online resource tool, which provides information on their process, progress and completion status: bit.ly/EPAprogress

Once a Right-of-Entry (ROE) form is signed for Phase 2, Army Corps employees will contact homeowners that are enrolled in the Consolidated Debris Removal Program via phone 24-48 hours in advance to provide notice of work start times. The Corps’ contractor is required to provide the Corps a formal report of completion. The Corps will provide those reports to the county, and the county will notify homeowners. A Phase 2 map, showing progress, will be published once work gets underway.

If you had insurance in effect at the time of the wildfire that provides coverage for debris removal, it is required that those funds, if not used for rebuilding, go toward reimbursement of Program costs. In most cases, the cost of debris removal will be greater than the insurance available. Reimbursement amount will not exceed the costs of debris removal on your specific property. If coverage for debris removal is not a separate insurance category, any reimbursement for debris removal will be limited to the unused benefit amount (if any) in that coverage category after the residence is rebuilt. If the full amount of general coverage is used for rebuilding, you will not be responsible for any reimbursement.

If you participate in Phase 2 of the program, we recommend that you consult with your insurance carrier to confirm how much is dedicated to debris removal. If your site will require private debris removal in addition to what is covered under Phase 2 of the Consolidated Debris Removal Program, you can use your debris insurance proceeds to cover those costs, and will only be expected to provide the remainder (if any) to reimburse the Program. If you do not have insurance the Program will be provided at no cost.

 

How do I sign up for Phase 2 of the Debris Removal Program?

Property owners must sign up by completing a Right-of-Entry (ROE) form. No removal of non-hazardous, fire-damaged material will begin on private property without the permission of the property owner.