DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS STATEMENT REGARDING HAZARDOUS WASTE VIOLATIONS LEVIED BY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
News Release from DHHL, April 29, 2015
HONOLULU — The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), is extremely concerned about the hazardous waste left behind by its prior tenant, Save Oahu’s Race Tracks LLC (SORT), and has worked diligently to determine the extent of the problem and the best methods of cleanup. DHHL has hired appropriate experts to assist it in this regard and has been keeping Department of Health (DOH) apprised of its efforts. DOH understands that this problem was directly caused by DHHL’s prior tenant SORT which operated a motorsports race track known as Kalaeloa Raceway Park.
DHHL consultants recently completed a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment of the former race track site and are currently developing a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Plan and timeline to continue the evaluation process. Once completed, the department will work with DOH to develop a plan to address any necessary environmental clean-up issues.
DHHL is pursuing claims for damages against SORT, which includes but is not limited to the cost to clean-up and remediate the property, in an action currently pending in the First Circuit Court.
DHHL will continue to work with DOH to address the concerns presented by the Notice of Violation and Order (NOVO) issued by DOH. DHHL, however, does not agree with all of the allegations or inferences of the NOVO and has contested the NOVO in an effort to assure that it accurately reflects SORT’s involvement and DHHL’s responsibility as the landowner.
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HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CITES DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS FOR HAZARDOUS WASTE VIOLATIONS
News Release from DoH April 29, 2015
HONOLULU — The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) Solid & Hazardous Waste Branch has issued a Notice of Violation and Order (NOVO) to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) for violations of the hazardous waste and used oil regulations. DHHL has been ordered to clean up abandoned hazardous wastes and used oils found at the former Kalaeloa Raceway Park (KRP), an operation that was part of SORT (Save Our Raceway Track), LLC. DHHL leased the property to SORT, LLC., but subsequently evicted them. The former KRP location is on Coral Sea Road in Kalaeloa.
After receiving complaints about the former raceway track site, DOH conducted an onsite inspection on Oct. 14, 2014 and documented hazardous wastes and used oil releases on the property.
As a major landowner and lessor in Hawaii, DHHL will be required to properly dispose of remaining hazardous wastes and conduct a site characterization of the property for contaminants associated with the automotive and race track operations to determine the magnitude of contamination and risks that it presents to human health and the environment. Upon completion of the site characterization, DHHL must submit a corrective action plan that meets the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulatory cleanup requirements. No monetary penalties have been imposed for the violations. DHHL has requested a hearing to contest the NOVO.
The Hazardous Waste Section of the Department of Health regulates the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste in Hawaii. The program protects Hawaii lands from pollutants that endanger people and the environment and insures environmentally sound and cost-effective management of all hazardous waste generated within the state.
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