CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM Some of the 37 batteries, shown yesterday, discarded near a trash bin at the entrance of Kaiser High School. Disposed batteries are a chronic problem, and the school has been spending $500 to $600 a year on disposal fees for them.

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DUMPED

Used car batteries keep mysteriously
popping up on Kaiser High's campus

For staff and students at Kaiser High School, the problem isn't simply an eyesore, it's a logistical headache and a potential threat to the environment.

Yesterday, 37 used vehicle batteries had piled up near the entrance of the Hawaii Kai campus -- the latest in a string of lead-acid batteries illegally dumped on school property. The culprits come by clandestinely. As soon as the mess is cleared away, more shows up.

"It is such a frustrating problem," said Suzanne Jones, recycling coordinator for the city of Honolulu. "We have not been able to figure out where these are coming from. I think this is a deliberate act of illegal dumping by an unscrupulous business, because they're showing up in quantity."

Kaiser is the only campus with a chronic problem with battery dumping, Jones said. The superintendent of the city's refuse yard has been going out to the school to collect 10 to 15 car batteries a week, she said.

Vice Principal Anthony Gayer said the school has had to get rid of at least 50 to 60 batteries a year over the past four years, and pay disposal fees of up to $500 to $600 annually. Once a few batteries are dumped, other people figure it's OK and toss theirs on as well, he said.

"The more you get rid of them, the worse the problem gets, because people see that they are taken care of," Gayer said.

State law prohibits dumping of lead-acid batteries on public or private property or in household rubbish. Householders may turn in old batteries to retailers when they buy new ones or take them to a city convenience center. Battery collection and recycling facilities usually charge small disposal fees.

Batteries contain two toxic substances, lead and sulfuric acid, which can cause brain and kidney problems and burns.

"When the lead and acid are released, it can contaminate our air and our water and our soil," said Grace Simmons, supervisor for the Hazardous Waste section at the Department of Health.

At Kaiser, the batteries have been left near the City and County recycling bins, which are supposed to collect aluminum, glass, newspaper and corrugated cardboard.

"I'm wondering if they're justifying it in their minds, by saying, 'Well, I put it by a recycling bin, it's not quite dumping,'" Jones said. "I want to tell you that this is dumping. You are dumping it on Kaiser High School. You present the kids, teachers and principal with a problem that they're not prepared to deal with. You should be ashamed of yourselves."

Kaiser Principal Larry Kaliloa said his school gets a lot of visitors, and the problem is demoralizing for students and staff. The school has put up a "No Dumping" sign, to no avail. Seventy Christmas trees were dumped at the school recently.

"We don't want our campus to become a dump site," he said. "It's a matter of school and community pride."

Simmons said she has investigated complaints that small businesses have accepted fees to dispose of batteries and then just dumped them, but hasn't been able to prove it.

"It's really difficult to catch people in the act," she said.

She and Jones asked the public to keep an eye out and call authorities when they see someone dumping batteries.

"If you have seen anyone doing this, please report it to our office, with license plate number and markings on the truck, any description of the person who is doing it," Jones said. "If everyone in the area just keeps an eye out when they drive by Kaiser, maybe we can stop this."