Rep. Tupola hosts informational meeting on Maʻili soil contamination
State Representative Andria Tupola will host an informational briefing regarding contamination in Māʻili with guest presenters from the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (DOH) and the U.S. Coast Guard on April 9, from 7–8:30 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Kamehameha Schools Learning center in the impacted community.
In October of 2015, local news stations shared details regarding the chemical pollution in a portion of the 93 acre lot partly owned by the Hawaiʻi State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) and the U.S. Coast Guard. The Kamehameha Schools Learning center is located on the southwest corner of the 93 acre lot.
From 1953 to 1970, a portion of the 93 acre lot had electrical transformers on a concrete slab which left toxic polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)—an organic chlorine compound—in dangerous quantities contaminating the soil of the surrounding area. The alarming levels of these chemicals pose a health risk to nearby residents.
The Coast Guard has received the funding necessary to clean the contaminated area and DOH is working together with the Coast Guard to organize an appropriate clean up effort. Both agencies will be sharing with the community their action steps, their timeline, and will be answering questions. A representative from DHHL will also be present in the event that community members have questions regarding the DHHL portion of the land parcel.
