“Thanks, but no thanks”
Komar Maui Properties donates five acres to Maui County for Lahaina debris disposal; Maui County responds with plan for more acreage
KAHULUI— Komar Maui Properties announced Monday it will donate five acres of land to Maui County to address the need for waste collection and disposal in the aftermath of the Lahaina wildfire. The parcel is part of a nearly 20- acre property located next to the Central Maui Landfill in Pu‘ unene that was acquired by the company in 2015, according to a press release.
“In the wake of the tragic Lahaina wildfires, we empathize deeply with the people of Maui and understand the urgency of finding solutions to address the impacts of this disaster and contribute to the community’s healing,” said Kosti Shirvanian, chairman of Komar Investments, parent company of Komar Maui Properties. “As good neighbors and members of this community for over 25 years, we want to play our part in supporting the recovery efforts and helping to alleviate the strain on the landfill situation.”
Komar estimates that the fiveacre site being donated will accommodate 100 percent of the fire debris in Lahaina and Olowalu. The new site was formerly a rock quarry and was identified through a community survey as the top choice for the permanent dump site for Lahaina fire debris.
The donation comes amidst ongoing eminent domain proceedings at the county level. Komar has previously offered to privately fund and operate the landfill site and provide a discount for all tipping fees to the County in perpetuity. Alternatively, Komar was willing to turn over the deed for the entire 20 acre site to the County in return for a royalty on all future tipping fees. Both offers were formally rejected by Maui Mayor Richard Bissen and Director of the Department of Environmental Management for Maui County Shayne Agawa, according to Komar.
The County of Maui responded to the news of the donation with a press release.
“We are greatly appreciative of Komar Maui Properties’ announcement to donate five acres; however, our long- term landfill plan requires the full 20 acres for an MSW landfill for our residents,” Mayor Richard Bissen said in the county’s response. “The County remains willing to pay the appraised value to acquire this parcel to address the needs of the people of Lahaina and the long- term need of our residents.”
Bissen said Komar’s intent to provide a donation of five acres of the 20 acres in Pulehu comes as the County is in the process of taking eminent domain action. It’s a contribution that recognizes that moving forward with a much- needed permanent disposal site is critical.
“This donation underscores our longstanding commitment to the Maui community and we hope the County can meet us halfway on it,” said Andy Naden, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Komar Investments. “We’re seeking a compromise to allow us to immediately help the people of Lahaina and also realize our vision of nearly 10 years with the remaining 15 acres.”
Prior to the fires, Komar was in active discussions with the County to develop the 20- acre parcel as a commercial and demolition ( C& D) debris landfill. Komar had secured financing, a development planner and a legal team to assist with all entitlements, and with Pulehu C& D has been prepared to go forward.
“This is what we do; we know how to design and operate landfills,” added Naden. “We have a deep understanding and depth of experience in the waste collection, management and disposal
business and have developed and managed 11 landfills across the country without incident.” These landfills are located in the States of California, Arizona, Florida, Texas and Louisiana.
Maui county says the pursuit of the 20- acre parcel has been part of expansion plans to develop the Central Maui Landfill ( CML) for Municipal Solid Waste ( MSW), and the urgent need for a Permanent Disposal Site certainly accelerated negotiations that concluded with eminent domain action taken by the Maui County Council last Friday. While Komar has proposed a privately owned and operated landfill on 15 of the 20 acres, the county will proceed with the best long- term plan for its residents.
“While the donation of five acres is welcomed, it was the County’s plan to utilize 8- 10 acres for Lahaina debris and ash,” said Department of Environmental Management Director Shayne Agawa. “Our plan requires more acreage to ensure that the height of the ash remains lower than the elevation of Pulehu Road. If we placed all the debris in five acres, it would create a mountain that would expose the ash to the elements, and pose a potential risk to public safety.”
Agawa explained that if Komar intends to utilize the full 15 acres for a private landfill, they would need a right of access through the Central Maui Landfill, which would pose considerable liability and operational issues.
According to the press release response to the donation, “the county will be proceeding under the provisions granted by the Governor’s Emergency Proclamation to expedite the development of the Permanent Disposal Site ( PDS); these emergency provisions are not transferable to private companies.”