Maui County officials announced that all 237 nonhistorical, concrete pilings along Front Street in Lahaina have been removed — a milestone in the aftermath of the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire.

Before the wildfire, the pilings supported commercial and residential structures built over the water. The devastation of buildings left hazardous debris, including metal beams, bolts and pilings themselves, which posed safety concerns, according to a news release. 

The piling removal was spearheaded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who worked with the County of Maui, the U.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage and Diving, contractor SMIT Salvage, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, to complete the project early. Officials expected the project to take 90 days, but the removal of the pilings was finished in less than a month. 

"Clearing the debris was a vital step in ensuring public safety and marks significant progress in Maui’s ongoing recovery," Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said in a statement. "We are deeply grateful to USACE and other dedicated partner agencies for their unwavering support throughout this major effort.”

During the removal project, cultural and archeological specialists monitored work and ensured the preservation of any historical pilings. 

“This project presented unique engineering challenges, requiring specialized expertise and a quick response,” said Donald Schlack, Chief of Staff for the USACE Recovery Field Office. “USACE, along with our FEMA and SUPSALV partners, are proud to have played a key role in safely and efficiently removing these hazardous obstacles, paving the way for rebuilding efforts in Lahaina.”