Some Eastside residents remain dissatisfied with the results of two Hawai‘i Health Department studies done this summer that show scarce signs of pollution from potential exhaust sources such as cruise ships docked in Nawiliwili Harbor. Robert Tam, an environmental health
Some Eastside residents remain dissatisfied with the results of two Hawai‘i Health Department studies done this summer that show scarce signs of pollution from potential exhaust sources such as cruise ships docked in Nawiliwili Harbor.
Robert Tam, an environmental health specialist within the state Clean Air Branch, said sulfur dioxide samples collected April 25 to May 9 and May 16 to June 13 at multiple Niumalu Valley sites meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency air quality standards for public health — in some cases even fall below the detection limit of one part per billion.
“Basically, there were quite a few below detectable limit readings,” he said. “The highest was 3.19 parts per billion … which is nothing really to do anything about. If the area is impacted by exhaust, the sulfur should be there.”
But Niumalu resident Dr. Donald Greer said the Health Department’s method of collecting the samples — a two-week and four-week time-averaged measurement — would fail to show the short-term spikes that may be negatively affecting the health of dozens of community members.
In a Sept. 3 letter to Gov. Linda Lingle, copied to county and state officials, Greer says trade winds carry exhaust smoke from ships in the harbor over the Niumalu Valley, dumping “soot rain” on vegetation and homes and exposing residents “to the full strength of the cruise ship’s pollution plume.”
“Residents have observed a black oily substance (soot) on windows and homes,” she states in the letter. “The State of Hawai‘i Department of Health SO2 detectors do not measure these maximum exposures which are localized and may only occur for a few hours.”
Tam said last week that the Health Department plans to conduct a third study that could address these concerns.
Further testing will be done on two days — a Wednesday when the harbor is empty and a Saturday when ships are present and the Health Department typically receives a lot of complaints about exhaust odors, he said.
The SO2 health standard is 140 parts per billion averaged over 24 hours, according to the U.S. EPA national ambient air quality standards.
The study should be complete by late September, Tam added.
But the specialist said the department is unconvinced that cruise ships are the only source for the pollution residents have complained about.
“It could be related to any fuel combustion source … such as other ships, barges or diesel trucks,” he said. “They still have heavy vehicles going in and out there.”
Greer said when Niumalu residents cleaned their windows two years ago, the black oily substance was not present.
“It’s something that should be investigated,” Kaua‘i County Councilmember JoAnn Yukimura said of the alleged cruise ship pollution.
The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority is requesting proposals until Sept. 14 for a study on the state’s cruise industry.
“From 2001 through 2005, the cruise industry in Hawai‘i has nearly doubled and it is important to understand what impacts, as well as benefits, this segment of the visitor industry has on our community,” said Rex Johnson, HTA president and chief executive officer, in a June 27 news release. “This study will provide policy-makers with comprehensive, reliable and objective information when making decisions toward ensuring a sustainable tourism industry in Hawai‘i for our residents and visitors.”
The HTA and state Transportation Department will fund the study, which will include a cost-benefit analysis relating to economic welfare, physical environment, historical and cultural assets and practices, social welfare, harbor facilities, safety and security measures, environment and infrastructure, tax revenue and fees, and traffic.
“Cruise ships should probably have had an environmental impact statement done too,” Yukimura said. “It should have been done before, like the Superferry, but it’s still important to do.”
But all studies aside, some residents and environmental groups say the easiest way to alleviate pollution from docked cruise ships is require operators to use cleaner burning fuel or plug into the local electric grid.
Most, if not all, Hawai‘i cruise ships burn bunker fuel when docked in harbors. Some states, such as California, now require ships to use diesel fuel when at port to reduce pollution.
But even diesel emissions from cruise ships while at port are a significant source of air pollution, according to the State Environmental Resource Center, a Defenders of Wildlife policy project.
“An estimated one-third of ship emissions occur while they are idling at berth. While docked, vessels shut off their main engines but use auxiliary diesel and steam engines to power refrigeration, lights, pumps and other functions,” SERC’s Web site states. “Replacing auxiliary engines with on-shore electric power could significantly reduce emissions, a process dubbed ‘cold-ironing.’”
Tam said fuel samples collected from Hawai‘i cruise ships have shown sulfur content ranges similar to levels burned in Mainland ports.
“Our job is to protect the public,” he said. “We’ll still respond to complaints and still do further testing.”
• Nathan Eagle, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or neagle@kauaipubco.com.
