Environmental Projects

A major element of the Honolulu District's program is the Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) cleanup program. The Honolulu District is the designated Department of Defense manager for FUDS cleanups throughout Hawaii and the Pacific region. In addition, installation restoration projects include cleanup or removal of hazardous and toxic wastes, PCBs, asbestos and lead paint abatement, removal of underground storage tanks and range support to include explosive ordnance and chemical weapon cleanup and removal.

Heeia Combat Training Area, Oahu

Pali Training Camp, Oahu

The Former Heeia Combat Training Area (CTA) and Former Pali Training Camp (TC) are located on the Windward side of Oahu Island, Hawaii. The Heeia CTA consists of about 200 acres in Heeia Kea and 2,254 acres in Waihee and Kaalaea Valleys, Kahaluu. This area was utilized by the U.S. Army, during World War II, as an encampment for troops, an ammunition storage facility, a firing range, and as a maneuver and artillery impact area for jungle and assault training.

The Former Pali TC is comprised of approximately 4,400 acres that were used, by the military, as a regimental combat team training center for jungle and ranger training. The primary area of concern is about 1,500 acres located at the base of the Pali in Kailua, in portions of Makalii and Maunawili Valleys. This area was formerly established as an artillery impact area.

Currently, the property is largely undeveloped with pockets of residential, agricultural and recreational areas. In 1994, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers determined this site to be eligible for the Defense Environmental Restoration Program/Formerly Used Defense Site. After an award for $1.6 million, field investigations commenced, in April 2003, revealing items such as rockets, tank fire and hand grenades at the Heeia CTA site. Fieldwork at the Pali TC site are anticipated to begin in August 2004.

Contact Information
Heeia/Pali Project Manager
(808) 438-6934
CEPOH-PP-E@usace.army.mil

Makawao/Opana Point, Maui

The Former Makawao Gunnery Site and Opana Point Bombing Range are located approximately three miles northeast and five miles north-northeast, respectively, of Makawao and approximately 12 and 14 miles east of Kahului, Island of Maui, Hawaii. The Makawao Gunnery site is comprised of nearly 1,002 acres. The USMC established the site as a firing range and maneuver training area for 1-1/2 years, during World War II.

The Opana Point Bombing Range, located on the Opana Point, is about 52 acres, although an additional 86 acres were investigated for potential ordnance and explosives. The original target location is in the northeastern section of the bombing range. The USN used the site during World War II as late as May 10, 1946.

Currently, at Opana Point, plans are underway to develop residential housing and the Makawao Gunnery site will continue to be used for cattle grazing. Site investigations have revealed ordnance and explosives and possible bomb craters were observed. On August 9, 2002, the Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA), for both Makawao Gunnery Site and Opana Point Bombing Range, was initiated and completed on October 10, 2002. A contract for ordnance clean-up has been awarded and field work is anticipated to begin in late 2004.

Contact Information
Makawao/Opana Point Project Manager
(808) 438-6934
CEPOH-PP-E@usace.army.mil

Waikane Valley Training Area, Oahu

The Waikane Valley Training Area is situated on the Windward side of the island of Oahu, Hawaii, on the coastal plain adjacent to Kaneohe Bay and on the slopes of the Koolau Mountain Range. From 1942 to 1976, these 1,061 acres of land were used as a military training and artillery impact area. Of the 1,061 acres, 874 acres are considered eligible under the FUDS program. The remaining acreage is owned by the U.S. Marine Corps. The Draft Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) Work Plan for the Waikane project was completed in May 2004.

Most of this FUDS property is covered by dense vegetation with some gulches and steep slopes. During World War II, this area was used by the Department of the Army for advanced training in offensive warfare and air-to-ground practice bombing. From 1953-1976, the Marine Corps was substituted as lessee. Live ordnance, including high explosive grenades, mortars and rockets, have been found in the Waikane Valley Training Area. In addition, demilitarized ordnance has been recovered. Today, this land is mostly undeveloped with pockets of residential, agricultural and recreational areas.

In 2003, a $1.0 million contract was awarded by USACE for field investigations and compilation of an EE/CA. Fieldwork for this study and evaluation is anticipated to commence by September-October 2004, following production of a final work plan. A public information meeting for the proposed project occurred on August 4, 2004. This included a query of the community regarding interest in establishing a Restoration Advisory Board (RAB).

Contact Information
Waikane Valley Training Area Project Manager
(808) 438-6934
CEPOH-PP-E@usace.army.mil

Waikoloa Manuever Area, Island of Hawaii

The Former Waikoloa Maneuver Area is about 123,000 acres (200 square miles) on the Big Island of Hawaii. It was used as a military training area during World War II. Waikoloa is nearly four times the size of the Hawaiian island of Kahoolawe, where the Navy is cleaning up a former weapons range. Phase I of the Waikoloa project was completed in FY99. Phase II, the Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) report, was completed in January 2002. Field investigations for a Phase III EE/CA were completed in July 2004 in the Hawaiian Home Lands properties east of Waimea and undeveloped properties between Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway and the shoreline.

Live ordnance, ranging from grenades and bazooka rounds to hedgehog missiles, has been found in the Waikoloa Maneuver Area. In addition, approximately 15,000 to 20,000 persons live, work, or go to school within the project’s boundaries. Also, the area receives thousands of visitors. Accordingly, Waikoloa’s risk assessment code is “1”, which means it is a high priority for ordnance removal.

A $500,000 Time Critical Removal Action for surface survey and ordnance removal in the Ouli portion of the Waikoloa Project area was completed in 2001. In March 2003, the first Task Order for $10 million was awarded and negotiated for ordnance clearance of 680 acres in Waikoloa, Waimea and Lalamilo. This was completed for 927 acres in August 2004. The second Task Order was awarded in March 2004 for $9.6 million and negotiated for clearance in over 1,100 acres in Waikoloa, Waimea and Ouli.

The Corps has instituted two programs, one for worker safety and the other for public safety awareness. The construction support program has been established for worker health and safety during construction at the project site. For public safety and awareness, the institutional controls program was developed in order to inform the public of hazards from unexploded ordnance and to limit public access to areas of concern.

Contact Information
Waikoloa Project Manager
(808) 438-6934
CEPOH-PP-E@usace.army.mil

Tanapag PCB Remediation Project, Saipan Clean Up of PCBs at Tanapag Village is Complete

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu District, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) officials gathered June 5 with Saipan residents in Tanapag Village to mark the successful completion of a 12-year effort to clean up polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated soil in the small fishing village. The Site Restoration is expected to be complete by October 2003. The site will be monitored and maintained to ensure grass growth and site stability before being turned over to the Marianas Public Lands Authority.

ECC workers place heavy-duty plastic sheeting during the construction phase of four containment cells near the Tanapag project site. Excavated PCB-contaminated soil was stored in the cells until the cleanup portion of the project began. Each containment cell held approximately 1,500 cubic yards of material. Project is now complete.

Contact Information
Environmental Branch
(808) 438-6922
CEPOH-PP-E@usace.army.mil