Please see the message below from Janet Six, Principal Archaeologist for the County of Maui.

Dr. Six is compiling a database of professionals working in fields related to historic preservation who are qualified and willing to help with the Lahaina disaster once the area is deemed safe by FEMA. They are looking for architectural historians, historic architects, structural engineers, cultural monitors, archaeological monitors and other professionals working in this field.

Information about additional assistance needed and who to contact is included below.

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Aloha kakou,

On behalf of the County of Maui, I have been creating a database of those qualified and willing to help with the Lahaina disaster once the area is deemed safe by FEMA. We are looking for architectural historians, historic architects, structural engineers, cultural monitors, archaeological monitors and other professionals working in this field. This is a monumental task that will require us to mobilize a well-trained and compassionate task force to deal with the aftermath.

Please send me your name, affiliation, qualifications, phone number, email and CV. Please be sure to note if you are SOI qualified and/or FEMA certified.

Tanya Lee-Greig (tanya@ainaarch.com), Mara Mulrooney (mulrooney@pacificlegacy.com) and Peter Mills (millsp@hawaii.edu) are working to amass screens to be used by both professionals and individual home owners to recover artifacts that may have survived the fire. If you have a surplus you can donate, please reach out to them for location drop off on your island.

Dr. Trisha Watson (watson@honuaconsulting.com) has been coordinating with FEMA on security and providing tarps to protect historic sites from inclement weather.

SHPD GIS expert, Michael Wahl (Michael.A.Wahl@hawaii.gov) has been creating a GIS layer showing all known cultural sites in the fire damage area. If you have worked in this area and have useful spatial information on cultural sites please send it to Mike.

SHPD Architecture Branch Chief, Jessica Puff (jessica.puff@hawaii.gov) and County of Maui Long Range Planning Division Architectural Historian, Stanley Solamillo (Stanley.C.Solamillo@co.maui.hi.us) are pulling together maps, historic photographs, etc. of Lahaina town. If you have any, please reach out to them.

I know many are anxious to help, but FEMA has made their priorities clear. Prior to any of our recovery efforts they need to 1.) contain the fire; 2.) rescue and recover those still missing; 3.) remove hazardous materials (asbestos, lead, mercury); 4.) bring in FEMA qualified historic preservation experts and structural engineers to determine structural damage to historic buildings.

This is a painful and painstaking process for many of us as we want to rush in and be of assistance, but we must first be sure the areas are safe to enter before bringing in additional help. 

On a personal note, I would also remind people to be mindful that many are still processing this unprecedented loss of lives, livelihoods, history and culture, while trying to find the best and most culturally appropriate way to move forward.

Malama pono,
J6
Janet Six, PhD
Principal Archaeologist for the County of Maui
Janet.Six@co.maui.hi.us
(808) 344-0566