Data Sources and Quality

Maui Wildfire Data: Data Sources and Quality

DOH has collected many environmental samples directly. Federal agencies, the University of Hawaii, nonprofit organizations, and other partners have also collected samples. DOH created this website as a central portal for the public to access all data that these groups have voluntarily shared with DOH for inclusion.

Environmental monitoring data provide critical information for public health decisions, such as what pollution control measures are needed and when it is safe for people to return to the burn area. People need accurate, reliable information to make decisions that are healthy and safe.

DOH has policies and procedures in place to make sure that environmental data meet standards for quality. All data published on this website, including data submitted by other organizations, have been reviewed and validated to ensure accuracy and reliability. If there are limitations on data use, DOH will provide an explanatory note, as discussed below.

DOH ensures quality in its own data by using the best possible equipment and methods and by preparing and following detailed sampling plans with many quality control checks. These include:

Following sample collection and data analysis procedures in DOH’s Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response Office Technical Guidance Manual (TGM).
Preparing and following a sampling analysis plan that details, among other information called for in the TGM, the decision questions intended to be answered by the sampling, sampling methods, parameters that will be analyzed, analytical methods, and quality assurance and quality control measures that will be implemented.
Collecting samples in a way that ensures the laboratory data are representative of the area of interest and the question being asked (use of “grab” sample data not permitted).

Making sure no cross-contamination of samples occurs.
Assuring that applicable holding times and preservation methods for all samples are adhered to and that this is documented.
Keeping clear records for all samples collected.
Maintaining chain of custody for all samples.
Using standard laboratory methods for analyzing substances of interest.
Reviewing laboratory data reports for completeness, clarity, and laboratory quality assurance and quality control reviews.

Learn more about how DOH ensures that samples are representative by using Multi Increment sampling methods.

Before publishing another organization’s data set on this website, DOH reviews it to make sure it meets DOH’s quality standards. During this review, DOH checks to see which sampling protocols the organization followed, which laboratory methods they used, and whether they described their data quality checks.

If an outside data set does not meet DOH standards, it may be included on this website with a note about quality. Some data might not meet quality standards for making decisions but could still be useful for screening assessments or for informing future monitoring efforts. For example, one sampling effort by another agency focused specifically on “hotspots,” so it was not representative of the area and the analysis was potentially not representative of the sample. However, these data are still useful, as they support other sampling results that show heavy metals as the substances of greatest concern. DOH has therefore included these data on this website with an explanatory note. In unusual circumstances, where data do not meet minimal quality standards, data may be excluded from this portal.

Data Governance

Data governance refers to the way an organization manages, shares, and protects its data. DOH directly owns and maintains some data on this website. DOH hosts its data on a secure server to protect the integrity of the data and to ensure access. Other data on this website are maintained by other organizations and are subject to different hosting and governance policies. These other organizations have granted DOH permission to share their data publicly.

This website provides visual snapshots of selected data to highlight key patterns and trends. To ensure access, the numbers shown in graphics generated by DOH are available for public download. Users may inspect the data, perform their own calculations if desired, and reprint material from this website with proper attribution.

For More Information or to Submit Data

You can contact DOH to submit environmental data or provide comments on this data portal. Any data shared with DOH will be reviewed for quality and validated before public release. If data cannot be validated, the data may be included with an explanatory note as to their validity and use. Please keep comments concise, civil, and on topic.