![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Brownfields Success Stories
Hawaii's Targeted Brownfields Assessment: Honolulu Says "Aloha" to Brownfields Redevelopment
In 1976, Hawaii's state legislature created the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) to plan the redevelopment of the state's urban areas. A public corporation, HCDA brings together private resources and government to redevelop blighted areas and benefit communities. At the 33-acre Makai property in the Kaka'ako district, situated in Honolulu just north of Waikiki Beach, HCDA is attempting to create a "special, people-oriented place." EPA provided a critical piece of this redevelopment puzzle by awarding $90,000 in site assessment funding to the Hawaii Department of Health, as part of the Agency's Targeted Brownfields Assessment (TBA) program. TBAs are provided through EPA's Brownfields Initiative and are intended to finance site characterization services for brownfield sites with redevelopment potential. These assessments give cities, states, and potential developers an idea of the contamination present and how much cleanup will be necessary. The Hawaii Department of Health passed its TBA award to HCDA, who is working to redevelop this area, but retained the oversight authority for both assessment and subsequent cleanup. Comprehensive sampling was conducted over all 33 acres of the Makai property in 10 separate sampling units that were completed in one week. Following EPA's assessment of the sampling data, cleanup plans and a cost estimate will be developed. This site characterization information will assist HCDA, the Hawaii Department of Health, and the future developer in redeveloping the property to its fullest use. HCDA is currently reviewing six bids to redevelop the Makai property. Although the developer will be responsible for cleanup costs, the results of the TBA will provide a clearer picture of what cleanup is needed, allowing for enhanced long-term planning. The eventual redevelopment of the Kaka'ako district will create new jobs for surrounding communities and increased tax revenues for the City of Honolulu. EPA's Region 9, which covers Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada, has also successfully completed TBAs in Yuma, AZ and Mt. Shasta, CA. The Region is currently conducting an additional TBA in Yuma, AZ and in the California cities of Ukiah, Northfork, West Sacramento, Stockton, and East Palo Alto. For more information on Region 9's Targeted Brownfields Assessment Program, contact Thomas Mix at (415) 744-2378.