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September 2, 2003
HONOLULU – The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) is
inviting the public to an informational meeting regarding clean-up
efforts at the Waipahu Incinerator and Ash Landfill. The meeting will
be held Thursday, September 4th from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
at the Waiphau High School Cafeteria.
"We want to keep the community informed," said Larry Lau, Deputy
Director of Environmental Health. "This is their community. It’s
where they live and they deserve to know what’s going on. An
educated and informed public is the best way to help prevent future
illegal dumping."
The informational briefing will be an open format with display
booths, posted information and subject-matter-experts available to
answer questions. This "kiosk" set-up will allow the public to focus on
issues that interest them relating to the site and obtain information
at their own pace. Community members are encouraged to arrive before
7:30 p.m. in order to have ample time to examine all materials.
During an inspection of the Waipahu Incinerator and Ash Landfill in
February, DOH found evidence of illegal solid and hazardous waste
activities such as stockpiling of propane gas tanks, burial of white
goods and construction and demolition waste, and disposal of bricks
from the incinerator into the closed ash landfill. After inspecting and
investigating the site DOH started enforcement action against the City,
requiring them to conduct sampling and to remove waste material. While
the immediate risks have been mitigated and hazardous materials have
been removed, remediation efforts continue at the site.
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For more information, contact:
Janice Okubo
Communications Director
Phone: (808) 586-4442
E-mail: jsokubo@health.state.hi.us
Laura M. Lott
Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 586-4418
E-mail: lmlott@health.state.hi.us
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