The Hawaii Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting about soil contamination and removal near Kahului Airport. The meeting is scheduled on Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Kahului Airport Conference Room. According to the Hawaii Department of Transportation, the conference room is located across from the "Maui Releasing the Sun" statue in the courtyard. Parking will be validated for attendees.
The Hawaii Department of Transportation will begin excavating soil contaminated with Polyfluoroalkyl Substances from the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Training Pit at the north side of the airport. The work will require a partial closure of the North Shore Greenway bike and pedestrian path. Preparations are set to start this month, with excavation planned for early June. This project is part of a plan submitted to the Hawaii Department of Health.
Polyfluoroalkyl Substances chemicals, found in Aqueous Film-Forming Foams used in firefighting training at Kahului Airport before 2021, have been linked to environmental and health concerns. Aqueous Film-Forming Foams is now used only for actual aviation fuel fires to reduce environmental impact. At an upcoming public meeting, Hawaii Department of Transportation will provide information about a soil removal project to clean up areas affected by past Aqueous Film-Forming Foam use, including the project’s timeline and the steps being taken. The meeting will include a presentation to inform the public about these actions.
