Refuse official tied to illegal dumping quits

By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

Peter Kealoha, the man at the center of the controversy surrounding illegal dumping of more than 200 appliances and other waste at the Waipahu incinerator site, has resigned, according to city officials.

Kealoha, city refuse disposal facility superintendent, allegedly ordered other workers to illegally bury household appliances, bricks, propane tanks and other waste in an area just north of the incinerator. The findings by environmental watchdog Caroll Cox earlier this year resulted in a $542,459 fine levied against the city by the state Health Department, which the city is contesting.

The cleanup cost was $400,000 to $500,000.

"The city and his union, the Hawai'i Government Employees Association, accepted his retirement on June 30, 2003, in lieu of disciplinary action," city spokeswoman Carol Costa said.

Cox said he believes that Kealoha could offer proof that upper-level managers with the city not only knew of the illegal dumping, but may have ordered it.

"I'm hoping Mr. Kealoha comes forward to speak of the developments that led up to this," Cox said. "He did not act on this on his own."

Costa said no decision has been made on whether to seek reimbursement for at least some of the fines or cleanup costs from Kealoha. Investigations by the state attorney general are continuing.

Kealoha had oversight of the city's transfer stations, waste diversion and maintenance, and the landfill during his last two years in the Department of Environmental Services. He was put on administrative leave when an investigation into the illegal dumping began in March and did not return to work.

Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.