By Jim Alvey | VP of Disaster Recovery and Philanthropy
The long recovery from the Lahaina fires of August 2023 still continue. In fact, the initial response phase is finally coming to a close and long-term recovery has begun. Variations on tiny homes are being built across Maui. From containers to wood homes to creative tubular eco homes.
Regarding the ash issue, wildfire debris was cleared from the 500th residential property in Lahaina on April 2 as part of the ongoing Phase 2 debris removal process. Approximately 1,600 properties were impacted by the wildfire on Aug. 8 that burned through the historic Maui town.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, along with other government agencies, have been working since Jan. 16 to clear toxic debris and soil from properties as the town continues recovery efforts.
Native Hawaiian cultural advisors based on Maui are working alongside debris teams in an effort to protect the heritage of Hawai‘i and its Native Hawaiian people throughout the debris removal process.
During Phase 2 debris removal, once a property is cleared, the soil is tested to ensure it’s safe. After it’s deemed safe and erosion control is installed, the County of Maui is notified that the property is complete and ready for the rebuilding process.
Earlier this year, Environmental Protection Agency completed Phase 1 of the debris mission, which included months of site assessments, hazardous household material removal, and bulk asbestos material removal.
On the warehouse front - Good360 and Global Empowerment have partnered to lease a 12,500 sqft property in Kahului that will provide storage and offices for up to five local nonprofits including Mauri Rapid Response, Na Kiai O Maui, CNHA, MauiMedics, GEM, and others.
On the product side - Good360 has been busy supporting product need gaps for all of the above nonprofits. This has included furniture, mattresses, home kits, appliances, and household items. These efforts will continue through building supplies and anything needed to make a house a home.
On the shipping side - Good360 supported a container of biochar that is arriving by request of the Maui Bioremediation Group to stem toxic ash from entering human and natural environments from rain wash. The product is put into industrial socks that encircle a toxic area.
All in all, it feels good to have some progress to report. However, there is much more to do. Thank you for your continuing support of this project.
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