The state Department of Health is investigating how tons of crushed household appliances wound up buried on city land in Waipahu. State probing the burying
of appliances on city landAn environmentalist reported the illegal
activity that took place in WaipahuBy Diana Leone
dleone@starbulletin.comCarroll Cox, president of the environmental advocacy group Enviro Watch, said friends of city workers at the nearby trash convenience center told him about the buried appliances at a former city incinerator site at the makai end of Waipahu Depot Road.
He reported it Wednesday to the state, which visited the site Thursday.
"Apparently it was common knowledge that this dumping was occurring up there," Cox said yesterday.
State workers visiting the site Thursday found that "there were some white goods buried on the site -- washers, dryers, water heaters, stoves and other appliances ... and also indication of illegal dumping of construction debris," said Steve Chang, Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch chief.
Also at the former incinerator site were thousands of empty propane containers, awaiting city attempts to get a contract to process them, Chang said.
City workers "did some trenching" Friday to determine the extent of the problem and removed about 30 tons, or three trailers-full, of crushed appliances and took them to the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill, Chang said.
Apparently Hawaii Metal Recycling Co. stopped accepting appliances from the city in January 2001 because of a dispute over whether the city would pay the company to take them, Chang said.
The city stockpiled the appliances at the Waipahu incinerator site, which also serves as a base yard for some city workers, Chang said.
But burying them "is clearly illegal disposal," he said. "They're not allowed to do that."
Chang said the investigation is "in the beginning stages and we're trying to get details about what exactly happened."
He said he has been working with Honolulu Environmental Services Director Frank Doyle on a timetable to get the appliances removed and properly disposed of.
The improper burial of the appliances could result in a fine of up to $10,000 a day, Chang said.
Hawaii Metal Recycling Co. could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Doyle did not respond yesterday to a request for comment.
City spokeswoman Carol Costa said she had "not been briefed on the matter."
Cox, who reported the situation to the state, said: "We're concerned that someone (should) be prosecuted or punished for the dumping, to allow that on city property."
State Health Department
Enviro Watch