City nears end of investigation into illegal dumping

By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Central O'ahu Writer

The city expects to conclude its internal investigation tomorrow into dumping on a city site in Waipahu, with final questioning of an official who some workers have said authorized the illegal burial of appliances and other materials.

Peter M. Kealoha Jr., the city's refuse disposal facility superintendent, is being interviewed by city investigators, officials said. Maunalei Trucking Inc., of which he is vice president and part-owner, is also under investigation by the city for possible improper disposal of construction material at the site.

Kealoha has been placed on administrative leave.

"What comes next is the determination of why all this took place, what form of action we have to take and what preventive measures we need to make sure this won't happen again," said Frank Doyle, acting director of the city Department of Environmental Services.

He said the city has interviewed city employees and trucking companies to determine who is responsible for the improper disposal of appliances, construction debris, and ash and bricks from an incinerator.

Kealoha's part ownership in a trucking company suspected of dumping construction waste will be examined, Doyle said.

Because the dumping occurred on its property, the city is responsible for paying any fines handed down by the state Health Department, which is also investigating.

"We are coming to the final stages of our internal investigation," said city spokeswoman Carol Costa.

The city, which began testing the soil at the incinerator site on Monday, expects test results tomorrow.

According to its plan submitted to the state Health Department, consultants from EnviroServices will test the soil for eight heavy metals, including barium, lead and mercury.

Samples of soil and construction demolition material will be taken from several areas adjacent to the former incinerator.

Insulation material left from the incinerator, which was shut down in 1994, will be tested for asbestos.

Crushed white goods — appliances such as stoves, water heaters and washers — are buried in an acre of the 7-acre site. About 30 tons of material were removed from the site on March 1 and sent to the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency and the state attorney general's office also are conducting investigations.

The state also is interviewing city employees, including Kealoha, said Steve Chang, chief of the state Health Department's Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch.

Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8103.