Posted on: Wednesday, March 28, 2001

Halawa mercury spill cleaned up

Advertiser Staff

Overnight cleanup of a small mercury spill near a recently contaminated Halawa public housing project was completed today.

"The units are clear and (Makalapa Playground) park is open," said Keith Kawaoka of the state Health Department's Hazardous Evaluation and Emergency Response unit.

The spill, found near Richardson Recreation Center and above the abandoned pumping station that was the source of mercury that closed the Pu'uwai Momi housing project earlier this month, involved about two to three ounces. "We don't know whether the spill was already there, or if people went back to get more," Kawaoka said.

The state has put up fencing around the abandoned pumping station and the state is expected to begin cleanup soon, Kawaoka said.