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The EPA has removed toxic chemicals dislodged during the Aug. 8 disaster from 50% of the ash-covered landscape.

Health officials recommend masks, goggles, gloves, coveralls and disposable shoe covers to prevent exposure.

The county is also creating an Office of Recovery to address intermediate and longterm disaster recovery needs in the wake of the Aug. 8 wildfire.

Some health experts say the state and county should be more cautious in their approach.

Members held the first in a series of meetings to gather public input on what actions the county should take.

Just talk to us. These scripted videos and written statements are a slap in the face to anxious citizens who are losing confidence by the day in county leadership.

Mayor Richard Bissen spoke to the public in a scripted video address but is not returning calls seeking details and clarification.

The Maui mayor’s office prepared an application for a fire mitigation grant for West Maui, but gave up on the effort last year after FEMA objected to the county proposal.

The complaint by the family of a deceased Lahaina resident is the first to name property owners like Kamehameha Schools and Maui County along with the electric company as defendants.

Bissen walked back a comment earlier this week that he was “not sure” of the command structure in the county’s wildfire response.