LIHU‘E — The state Department of Health Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response Office and the federal Environmental Protection Agency are inviting the public to a meeting Thursday to discuss an upcoming cleanup at the former pesticide mixing area on Aalona
LIHU‘E — The state Department of Health Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response Office and the federal Environmental Protection Agency are inviting the public to a meeting Thursday to discuss an upcoming cleanup at the former pesticide mixing area on Aalona Place in Kilauea.
The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea School Cafeteria, 2440 Kolo Rd.
State officials said in press release that final planning is under way to remove pesticide impacted soils from two residential yards and to construct a permanent stormwater swale to isolate contaminated soils identified on an adjacent commercial property.
EPA will be conducting the cleanup and remediation of this site, in close coordination with DOH and Kaua‘i County. Mobilization to the site was set to begin Monday, and the excavation activities are slated to start Aug. 6.
DOH and EPA are asking the Kilauea neighborhood for its patience during construction as there will be some noise and traffic.
EPA will use traffic control methods to minimize the impact to commuters and maximize the safe transport of materials in and out of the neighborhood. Various construction noises will be heard throughout the neighborhood during removal activities.
Heavy equipment operation will occur between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and is expected to last for three weeks. EPA will work with impacted residents and businesses to minimize the short-term impositions that the mitigation efforts will have on the surrounding community.
Thursday’s meeting will be conducted in an informal format, with staff available at poster displays to provide the public with information on the history of the site, the planned construction actions, measures being taken to ensure no one is exposed to contaminated soils during excavation, transport and disposal, and to address health questions and concerns that the public may have, according to DOH.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and a drop-in information session is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. DOH Deputy Director Gary Gill will give a short presentation at 7:30 p.m. on the findings of the investigation. William Duncan of EPA will discuss remedial actions. Call DOH HEER at 586-4249 for more information.
