Bad air plagues Maui buildings
By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau
WAILUKU, Maui — What's up with the air inside Maui County's historic buildings?
Timothy Hurley • The Honolulu Advertiser
First, the Kalana Paku'i annex, formerly used as a police station, was struck by severe indoor air-quality problems in February that forced some workers to seek medical care. Then, the Old Wailuku Courthouse, home to the county's Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, was evacuated in June.
The Old Wailuku Courthouse, built in 1907 and now housing Maui County's prosecutor's office, is the second county building afflicted with an air-quality problem. Breathing problems in workers forced an evacuation June 18.
A state Department of Health air-quality inspector examined the courthouse building and its air-conditioning system last month, and a report with an evaluation of the problem and recommendations is expected to be ready this week.
Employees in the prosecutor's office were evacuated June 18 for a few hours after at least a dozen employees complained of breathing problems and headaches related to a metallic smell in the building, which was built in 1907. Those evacuated were on the top floor, which is occupied by 32 employees.
County officials said there have been no problems since, and there have been no workers' compensation claims filed or work time lost.
Although the old courthouse remains open, the former police station, redubbed the Kalana Paku'i annex, has been closed since March 2.
A plan to rehabilitate the building is expected to be ready in two to three weeks, said Lance Taguchi, an executive assistant to Mayor James "Kimo" Apana. The plan is being developed by a team comprising an environmental specialist, a mechanical engineer and an architect.
Although the initial odors were believed to be linked to volatile compounds from a paint used on air-conditioning ducts, subsequent remedial work found an "active, fertile colony'' of fungus known to cause respiratory problems.
The county set aside $500,000 in its 2001-02 budget to fix the problem and set up temporary quarters for the 80 displaced employees in the Planning Department and the Land Use & Codes Administration.
"We've always been concerned for the safety of our employees. We want to do whatever is necessary," Taguchi said.
The two buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and sit on either side of the main county building, Kalana O Maui, in Wailuku.
Problems associated with mold in workplace settings appear to be growing nationwide and are sometimes linked to old buildings that are refurbished for modern use. Exposure to mold can cause a variety of health effects and symptoms, including allergic reactions.
