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Army Corps briefs DHHL on Kihei FUDs cleanup plan; site inspections and remedial work planned through 2029
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Summary
Army Corps of Engineers presented findings on the Kihei Artillery Range Formerly Used Defense Site, described CERCLA steps (preliminary assessment, inventory property report, site inspection, remedial investigation) and proposed time‑critical removal actions where munitions risk is immediate; DHHL and Army Corps discussed funding constraints and coordination.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers briefed the Hawaiian Homes Commission on the formerly used defense site (FUDs) work underway for Kihei on Maui and other sites that touch DHHL lands.
Rich Tanaka (U.S. Army Corps, Honolulu District) summarized the historical footprint of the Kihei Artillery Range and said the Corps has completed a preliminary assessment and is preparing inventory property reports and project proposals under CERCLA. “We have an upcoming slide that shows the different phases of the CERCLA process… we have completed the preliminary assessment report,” Tanaka told the commission.
The Corps identified three overlapping polygons at Kihei — maneuver areas and an impact area where artillery training occurred — and proposed two near‑term tracks: (1) site inspections and remedial investigations to determine the nature and extent of munitions and associated contamination; and (2) time‑critical removal actions (TCRAs) where planned construction or immediate public‑safety risks require rapid clearance. The Corps also proposed training for recognition, retreat and reporting for workers who might encounter munitions onsite.
Commissioners asked about coordination with DHHL land plans and about cost estimates. Tanaka said Corps funding is limited and allocated nationally; advancing projects depends on solid cooperation and rights‑of‑entry to perform on‑site work so the Corps can make a funding case. DHHL emphasized the urgency because many parcels touching FUDs areas are in active planning for homesteads or infrastructure (waterline work), and commissioners said they will pursue federal funding conversations in parallel.
The Corps outlined a planning and field timeline stretching from site inspection steps beginning mid‑2026 through investigation and potential remedial actions into 2029 for identified polygons. The Corps and DHHL staff agreed to continue stakeholder coordination, provide DHHL copies of assessment documents and pursue rights‑of‑entry and funding alignment.
