A BYUH alumnus shares how he has helped in the cleanup efforts on Maui after the wildfires
Several months after the devastating Lahaina wildfire, about 941 of the 1,600 destroyed homes in Maui have been cleared, said Zeph McKee. He said the goal is to clear up at least 100 houses per month. Drinking water has been restored to about a third of the community and electricity is starting to be restored as well, said McKee, a BYU-Hawaii alumnus from California.
McKee said he graduated in 2021 with a degree in political science and an emphasis in international development and governance. He said he often thinks about his time at BYUH during his work as a deputy in the Debris Task Force at the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.
“I think what BYUH really inspired in me is a desire to be part of the solution instead of complaining about the problems that we have. We go out, engage with the community and find a solution,” he said.
McKee said he really likes the “Go forth to serve” line of the university’s motto. “It’s what I carry. I’ve been given so much. It’s my mission to give back,” said McKee. Though some days seem like there is no progress, he said he strives to make a small difference each day.
Finding a place for toxic waste
The county of Maui and some federal partners, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, have worked together to find a place to put the toxic ash, said McKee.
“The goal of the team is to take houses that have been destroyed and remove all of the ashes that may be toxic to human health so that people can start anew and rebuild on their houses that were burnt down,” he said.
“The hardest part is sewage,” said McKee. “The debris is like five football fields stacked on top of each other. Trying to decide where to put it once removed from people’s property took a very long time,” McKee explained. “We have to consider the needs of the community and the concerns in the environment,” he said.
McKee also said the locals get frustrated with the state and county governments as it takes a long time for the leaders to respond. “A lot of their frustrations are valid,” he said. He wished people understood that elected officials have to think about their constituents before they can make a decision. Government officials need to ensure what they decide to do with the toxic ash won’t negatively affect the environment, he said.
McKee explained they called in experts from Hawaii and the mainland to look into properties and areas that could potentially contain the ash. “We initially decided on a spot in West Maui, very close to Olowalu, where an old landfill had been built,” said McKee. The locals were very much opposed to the idea, he said, because it was so close to the community.
A survey asked the community what their most important priority was, and there were 2,000 people who responded, McKee said. “Ultimately, we decided to use that area as a temporary site for the ash and debris,” he added. There are certain criteria that need to be met in choosing a permanent site, said McKee, such as how close it is to groundwater, residential communities, schools and hospitals.
McKee said they have conducted environmental testing and explained, “It’s worth noting that the ash itself is not as toxic as we initially thought.” Currently, the biggest concern is the heavy metals like lead and arsenic, he said. “The goal is to contain it in a large and safe landfill to make sure that it does not contaminate any other part of the island,” said McKee.
Glimmers of hope
“There are a lot of people who are still in a lot of pain and trauma. It really was a tragic and traumatic event,” said McKee. “Some people have lived in the same house for several generations. That’s been their home. To see it go down has been very painful. People lost their homes and some lost loved ones,” McKee shared. It will take several years before everyone feels healed and for some people, it might take their entire life, he said.
Pono Murray, a junior from Lahaina, Maui, majoring in Hawaiian Studies, said he was directly affected by the fire. He said when he and his family recognized the fire was getting close, they evacuated. Fortunately, he said their house was spared. Since the fire, he said there has been some rain cultivating little spots of greenery. “Everything was kind of dark and black and burnt, and then you see the green coming out of the plants. Those are the small, little glimmers of hope,” he said.
Murray added, “It’s so nice to see they are working on clearing the land, and we see gradual signs that the piece of land is ready for rebuilding. The restoration and the rebuilding are pieces of hope.”
Despite the loss and damage, McKee said he admires the resiliency of Lahaina and Kona, another community affected by the fire. “The amount of goodwill we have seen from the communities has been really inspiring,” said McKee. “Volunteers and organizations have stepped up. I am blown away by how selfless they are.”
“Those people who are volunteering should get the most credit for their service,” he said. “I am happy to help in any way that I can. If I can find a way where I can assist, then I’d feel honored to support them,” McKee said.
Kawena Cabatu, a junior from Utah double majoring in intercultural peacebuilding and Hawaiian Studies, visited her family in Wailuku, Maui, after the fire. She said, “There were a lot of donations for the people at the time.” Several months later she shared there were other outreach and service programs in Lahaina. “Other BYUH students went to a school in Maui to sing for them,” said Cabatu. These students were part of the Jazz Studio Orchestra, which you can read about here.
“It is fulfilling to be able to serve other people in big ways and in small ways. Whether it’s planned or not planned, we just need to have eyes to see those service opportunities,” said Cabatu.
McKee said he hopes people understand the Maui fire was a landmark event for Hawaii, especially for Maui. “There were a lot of negatives, but I hope people can focus on the positives,” he said. “We have seen huge community responses. We have seen people unite around Maui, and that is something to be highlighted and praised,” McKee shared. •