EPA awards $396,000 to Hawaii county to help redevelop brownfields

Oct. 20 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded more than $396,000 to Kauai County, Hawaii, and the Anahola Homesteaders Council to redevelop brownfield properties on Kauai.

Kauai County is receiving $200,000 to inventory potential brownfield sites, perform environmental site assessments and do community outreach and involvement activities.

The Anahola Homesteaders Council is receiving $196,334 in brownfield funds for cleaning up hazardous substances on 20 acres of former sugar cane land contaminated with pesticides and herbicides containing arsenic and mercury, according to the EPA. The community plans to redevelop the site into a multi-use town center with a charter school and senior citizen housing.

The Anahola group also is receiving a separate $100,000 environmental justice grant to find viable solutions for property that is littered with illegally dumped items including automobiles, tires, appliances, batteries and other household goods.