Kids stole
24 pounds of
mercury, state says

The Halawa pump site
is closed off to prevent
more incidents

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By Rod Antone
rantone@starbulletin.com

State health officials estimate that children took about 24 pounds of mercury from an old Halawa water pumping station earlier this year.

While Health Director Bruce Anderson said the department has "no way of quantifying the amounts," he believes that most of it ended up at the nearby Puuwai Momi housing complex, where "thousands of pounds of mercury-contaminated material" were later recovered by cleanup crews in March.

"It sounds like a lot, but you have to remember that kids had coke bottles full of mercury,"Anderson said last night.

The information comes with the announcement of "safe conditions" at the pump house yesterday after the Health Department completed its final inspection.

The Health Department said a water meter at the pump house contained about 54 pounds of mercury, of which 30 pounds were recovered by cleanup crews.

Anderson also estimated the cost to clean both the pump house and Puuwai Momi is more than $500,000.

"That's half a million just for the contractors," he said. "It does not include work done by the state."

While the Health Department estimates cleanup costs for the pump house at $34,000, additional costs are pending for the disposal of 11 55-gallon drums filled with mercury-contaminated debris.

The Health Department also completed mercury cleanup at a park next to Puuwai Momi, as well as responded to 11 other reports of mercury contamination that may or may not have been related to the pump house incident.

Mercury was first found at the Puuwai Momi housing complex March 12, carried there by children from the abandoned pump house.

Health officials initially quarantined the public housing area while mercury on sidewalks and the grounds was cleared.

Of the 260 units at Puuwai Momi, 71 were found to contain the potentially toxic metal. Some units were so contaminated that walls, floors, furniture and appliances were taken out.

No serious injuries were reported among people exposed to mercury in Puuwai Momi and Makalapa Manor homes, although 27 were taken to hospitals.

Health officials said there are no confirmed reports of mercury poisoning.

"To ensure the public's health and safety, the department has cleaned up the site and the area has been secured to prevent entry," Anderson said. "The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources has agreed to seek reimbursement for the cleanup cost."

The Halawa parcel, near Richardson Field, is owned by the Department of Land and Natural Resources and operated by the Defense Department.

Because the former Navy parcel was deeded to the state in 1962, several federal and state agencies may be involved as responsible parties.

But last night, Anderson said the state Department of Land and Natural Resources will be asking the Legislature for money to reimburse the Health Department's cleanup costs.