Fire Blanketed Lahaina in Toxic Debris. Where Can They Put It? – the New York Times

Search and Rescue Soldiers and Airmen attached to Hawaii National Guard's Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and high-yield Explosive (CBRNE) Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP) unit assisted Maui County and State officials in the search and recovery efforts of Lahaina, August 10, 2023. (by Master Sgt. Andrew Jackson, courtesy of Hawaii National Guard, CC BY 2.0 DEED via Flickr).

Crews are sending thousands of truckloads of debris to a temporary disposal site (in Olowalu)..The coast of Olowalu is popular with snorkelers and filled with abundant sea life. In 2017, the coral reef offshore became a focal point for protection by the nonprofit Mission Blue, which advocates to protect the ocean. The organization said the reef acts as a sort of nursery to enhance reefs on other islands nearby. It also supports a large population of manta rays. “It’s environmentally precious,” said Tom Gruber, an adviser to Mission Blue. “It’s like Yosemite. You wouldn’t put a toxic waste dump upstream of Yosemite…”