Environmental Monitoring

Maui Wildfire Data: County Parks

The County of Maui manages numerous parks and natural assets throughout Maui, including shoreline parks and recreational fields in Lahaina. At the request of the County, DOH conducted sampling of the soil from 10 locations for metals and collected samples from the Lahaina Aquatic Center (LAC) pool. The sampling evaluated the potential impacts from the Maui wildfires, the presence of contaminants of potential concern, and potential risks to public health for those recreating in these areas.

The sampling design followed DOH’s Technical Guidance Manual (TGM) for the implementation of the Hawai’i State Contingency Plan. The TGM provides in-depth guidance on environmental assessment and cleanup under Hawai’i Revised Statutes, 128D.

Soils Data

To evaluate impacts from the wildfires, DOH collected multi-increment (MI) soil samples from 10 county park locations on July 29 and 30, 2024:

• Shoreline Access 1 (Baby Beach, Puunoa Place, Kai Pali Place, and part of Front St. Park)
• Ainakea Park
• Waiklui Terrace Park
• Kamehameha Iki Park
• Lahaina Recreation Center
• Malu Ulu Olele Park
• Paunau Park
• Banyan Tree Park
• Kelawea Park
• Shoreline Access 2 (Lahaina Athletic, Shark Pit, and Lahaina Shores)

Samples were analyzed for 14 metals. The results showed that fire-related substances were not present at levels of human health concern in these soils, and that the county parks and beach access points are safe for recreation.

Table 1 shows results from soil samples collected by DOH from Maui parks and beach access points in July 2024.

Soil samples were collected by DOH in accordance with DOH protocols.
DOH EAL: Hawaii DOH Environmental Action Level for screening.
The table shows valid sampling results from the sites, including duplicate and triplicate samples collected for quality assurance purposes.
ND: Non-detect
Screening values represent soil EALs for unrestricted land use obtained from DOH’s TGM EAL Surfer (Tier 1 EALs) search function (found here: Environmental Hazard Evaluation and Environmental Action Levels – HEER Office (hawaii.gov)) from July 2024. Where applicable, the EAL Surfer reports natural background levels if higher than the toxicity-based action levels and may account for the bioavailability of the substance.

LAC Pool Data

On behalf of the County of Maui, a DOH contractor also collected water samples from the LAC pool on July 11, 2024. These samples were analyzed for metals, conventional water quality parameters, water chemistry, and nutrients. Results are presented in the tables below.

DOH reviewed the analytical results to determine if it would be safe to drain the pool water into the ground nearby. Given that the area where the water would be discharged (the infiltration area) is not publicly accessible and is not connected to a drinking water source or surface water body, the substances in the water are not likely to pose a health risk.

DOH does not currently have directly applicable Environmental Action Levels (EALs) or ground/groundwater discharge standards that apply to the disposal of pool water from the LAC to the infiltration area. Based on the monitoring results, DOH has approved the disposal of the pool water to the infiltration area, which is not directly connected to a groundwater drinking water source or surface water body, based on comparisons to groundwater screening EALs.

DOH advised the county that sediment from the pool should be disposed of at the Maui Wildfires Temporary Disposal Site or the Central Maui landfill. DOH further recommended that in the event that land use at the infiltration area changes, the soil should be sampled and analyzed as appropriate for the new land use.

Pool water quality samples were collected by DOH”s contractor in accordance with DOH protocols.
The table shows valid sampling results from the site, including duplicate samples collected for quality assurance purposes.
DOH does not have directly applicable discharge standards, thus, no screening EALs are provided.