MAUI, Hawaii -- Restoration efforts continue at the Maui Space Surveillance Complex (MSSC) where a lightning strike caused an emergency generator malfunction and resulting fuel spill approximately three years ago. Remediation is currently in phases three and four of a four-phase remediation plan.
“Restoring the land in a way that is culturally informed has been and continues to be our top priority to ensure we do this right,” said U.S. Space Force Lt. Col. Douglas Thornton, 15th Space Surveillance Squadron commander. “Our quarterly meetings have been essential to our process, ensuring local community representatives are well informed on the process, timeline, and intent of clean-up efforts.
“Immediately upon discovery, the 15th SPSS team initiated a rapid response that was followed by a true whole-of-community effort,” Thornton said.
Remediation efforts have been a coordinated and collaborative effort between the Department of the Air Force; Hawaii Department of Health; GSI North America, a Native Hawaiian Organization and Small Business Administration certified company contracted for remedial action at the MSSC; members of the Maui community; and many others.
On Jan. 29, 2023, as a result of a lightning strike during a storm, the emergency generator at the MSSC malfunctioned and leaked approximately 720 gallons of fuel onto the concrete generator pad and flowed to the adjacent soil. Further assessment determined an impact to approximately 750 square feet of soil in the vicinity of the generator and 400 square feet of additional soil downslope.
The remediation activity is a four-phase approach. Phase One involved the immediate response, which included excavating and storing approximately 30 cubic yards of affected soil at the site.
Phase Two involved further assessment of the affected area to determine the best remedy for the entirety of the site. Numerous engagements with cultural advisors and various other agencies determined the least invasive remedy for the fuel spill.
Phase Three included initiation of the remedial action. The identified onsite remedy includes active bioventing and landfarming of the soil already excavated. One of the primary benefits of these remedies is that they are effective onsite technologies that minimize the removal of soil from the project site. A landfarm was established on site to aerate and treat the 30 cubic yards of soil excavated in Phase One. Five bioventing wells were installed and connected to an above-ground piping network that circulates air below the generator site. These systems became fully operational in July 2025, and active monitoring and testing will continue for the next three to seven years in order to assess effectiveness and reach remediation goals.
Phase Four focuses on containment, which involves the development of a containment system to begin later this year to ensure any future incidents would not result in impact to the soil.
“It’s important to us that we maintain open lines of communication and ensure we take appropriate action when issues arise,” Thornton said. “We are cognizant of the cultural significance of our operational location to provide essential space domain awareness and continue to build trust with the community in which we live and work. Our relationship with the community enables our critical mission to succeed on the island.”
The Maui-based 15th Space Surveillance Squadron is part of U.S. Combat Forces Command’s Mission Delta 2 mission of providing space domain awareness. At more than 10,000 feet elevation, the space surveillance location at the summit of Haleakalā contributes to the SDA mission with some of the best astronomical viewing conditions on Earth.