HONOLULU, OAHU - DECEMBER 2005

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Muddy water was observed puddling onto Kapiolani Blvd., coming from the 909 Kapiolani construction site on the corner of Ward Avenue. Large piles of dirt were visible inside the property with no containment measures apparent from the road.

Contacted agencies: City and County of Honolulu, Environmental Services Department (C&C ESD)

Previously notified: None

Status: RESOLVED! The Blue Water Campaign coordinator inspected site on 12/23/05 and witnessed the trucks being hosed down, sending muddy run-off out the driveway onto Kapiolani Blvd. C&C ESD was notified that day and subsequently sent out an investigator. The contractor was found to be in violation and was cited. A second investigation by the City on 12/30/05 found that the contractor had put in the necessary containment measures and is now in compliance.

MAKUA, KAUAI - DECEMBER 2005

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On 12/17/05 it was reported that the stream just past Makua (Tunnels) had been bulldozed (mauka of the highway brigde), with sand and debris piled up loosely on the dry streambank. Concerns include outflow of sediment onto the reef with the onset of rain. The complainant contacted several agencies and personnel, as well as the Sierra Club.

Contacted agencies: Department of Health, Clean Water Branch (DOH CWB); Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands (DLNR OCCL)

Previously notified: None

Status: DOH CWB personnel went to the site for inspection of the alleged violation on 12/20/05 and a report was to be filed with DOH CWB. Result of the report is pending. Blue Water Campaign will follow up on this report.


KIHEI, MAUI - JULY 2005

A fairly large scale construction site in Kihei raised some concerns with a resident in the area. Plans of grinding silica-containing basalt rock, as well as the large amounts of dirt raised a few questions not only on runoff potential, but also on the safety of silica getting into the air. The complainant contact severall agencies and personnel, as well as the Sierra Club.

Contacted agencies: Maui County Dept. of Public Works and Environmental Management (PWEM); Department of Health, Clean Water Branch (DOH CWB), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); etc.

Status: The Dept. of Health (DOH) is monitoring this site and has visited it on a couple of occasions already. Here's what I've heard back from them:

Hawaiian Basalt rocks has less silica than mainland type of rocks. That is why our lava flows rather than explosive type.

Two inspections were done of the Ke Alii sites one on 6/24/05 and a follow up on 6/29/5. Both of the projects have NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) coverage and the inspections were done to see if the permit conditions were met.

1st inspection - as stated in their BMP's silt fences had been installed along the natural drainway running through the project, and along the western (makai) border of the construction site. In some areas the fencing was not properly installed, this was reported to the contractor's project engineers who agreed to have this corrected. This was the reason why a followup inspection was conducted on 6/29/5.

2nd inspection - the concern was addressed and finished graded areas had been hydromulched (hydroseed). A sediment basin had also been constructed in the northwest corner of the Ke Alii Villa site. They are using water trucks to spray for dust control through out the two sites and the sites are surrounded by dust fences.

DOH also consulted a geologist at UH Hilo. He feels that the silica issue is one of nuisance and not health related. The silica in Hawaii is not present as amorphous silica. Don will do additional research to confirm and will let DOH know if he finds any more info. Therefore, as long as BMPs are in place w/ the rock crushing activity, nuisance should be kept to a minimum.

From the geologist:
To the best of my knowledge, the silica present in Hawaiian rocks is not present as amorphous silica. Hawaiian rocks are considered deficient in silica, compared to most continental type rocks, and, because of that, the silica is tied up on the primary minerals - olivine, plagioclase, and pyroxene.


WAILUKU, MAUI - JUNE 2005

"Mismanaged" road construction (sewer line work) was noticed in Wailuku, Maui in June. It appeared as though pipes were being laid (or dug up) and the road was being dug. Large piles of "dirty" sand and gravel laid on the side of the road (as you can see from the above photos) with no best management practices in place to keep the dirt from blowing up, being tracked by all of the cars and trucks, or from getting into the nearby stormdrains.

Contacted agencies: Maui County Dept. of Public Works and Environmental Management (PWEM); Department of Health, Clean Water Branch (DOH CWB)

Status: Maui County's PWEM was contacted and given the details of this complaint. They contacted and passed on this case to the appropriate Development Service Administrator (DSA) who said they would look into this case and get back to the Blue Water Campaign coordinator. Even though this is not their jurisdiction, the DOH CWB personnel on Maui checked out the site the day the complaint was made and has said they'd contact the contractor to make sure the stormdrain intakes were protected.

RUBBER DUCKIES, NORTH SHORE, OAHU - MAY 2005

While up on the north shore, one of our Blue Water Response Team members noticed a private construction site with a graded lot and exposed dirt. With the heavy rains that day, the runoff from this site was quite noticeable and flowing into nearby Rubber Duckies surf spot.

Contacted agencies: Department of Health, Clean Water Branch (DOH CWB)

Status: Initially, the City and County Storm Water Quality Branch was contacted, but as this is jurisdiction falling under the State Department of Health Clean Water Branch (because it's along a highway), the case was forwarded. Within a few days, the DOH CWB sent out personnel to investigate the site. As of 6/3/05, the investigation report is being done and Department of Planning and Permitting contacted regarding the grading activities on the property.

KALIHIHOLO STREAM, KAUAI - MAY 2005

About every Friday at approximately 5pm, a grayish substance is dumped into Kalihilolo Stream somewhere above the stone dam. This substance causes the waters of this fairly large stream to turn a grayish-green color.

Contacted agencies: Department of Health, Clean Water Branch (DOH CWB)

Previously notified: Kauai Police Department

Status: DOH CWB was contacted and immediately took action. They contacted the complainant (who gave the campaign permission to release their contact info.) and met them at the complaint site. Water which had been collected at the time of the first complaint was tested by DOH CWB. Results were not enough to identify the substance that may have been discharged into the stream. Complainant will contact DOH CWB if another discharge happens.

KAHALUU, OAHU - MAY 2005

Large-scale illegal grading without a permit within an agricultural and conservation district was done by a land-owner creating a private botanical garden. Construction has been going on for approximately 2 years. A notice of violation/stop work order was filed in January 2005, however construction continued illegally until May 2005. Heavy rains on May 21st led to large amounts of dirt washed away from exposed land left by construction activities. [Click here to see photos]

Previously contacted: Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands (fines assessed = $8,500); Dept. of Planning and Permiting; Department of Health, Clean Water Branch; Honolulu Police Department

Status: Pending

HOAKA ROAD, BIG ISLAND - APRIL 2005

Buldozing of ag lands into Waiakea Stream (ephemeral?) near Hilo, Big Island.

Contacted agencies: Department of Health, Clean Water Branch (DOH CWB); Hawaii County

Previously notified: Department of Land and Natural Resources; Dept. of Planning and Permiting; Hawaii County

Status: DOH CWB personnel went to the site for inspection of the alleged violation. No violation was found. The owner was cutting a line to survey and run fencing. DOH CWB spoke to the owner and the owner said that he will be clearing out the dirt and debris. DOH CWB will follow up when the owner is through.

KALAE, MOLOKAI - MARCH 2005

Grading and grubbing of privately owned land, with no permit and no best management prcatices in place. This led to a large amount of dirt and soil being tracked onto the roadway and a potential for runoff with the next heavy rain.

Contacted agencies: Department of Health, Clean Water Branch; Maui County Public Works

Previously notified: None

Status: Pending application for "after-the-fact" grading permit; No fines assessed.

Maui County Public Works responded to this complaint and inspected the site. It was determined that an after-the-fact grading permit is required. "The owners were notified of the grading ordinance violation by letter dated 5/4/2005. The site needs to be protected by installation of minimum BMPs. We will pursue the BMPs together with the "after-the-fact" grading permit." -Development Services Administrator, Maui County