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EPA searches Leeward Oahu property for alleged illegal hazardous waste activity

Release Date: 05/13/2008
Contact Information: Released jointly by U.S. DOJ, US Attorney, District of Hawaii Attorney District of Hawaii (808) 541-2850 and US EPA (808) 541-2711

(05/13/08) HONOLULU – Ed Kubo, United States Attorney for Hawaii, and Granta Y. Nakayama, Assistant Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, jointly announced today that Special Agents from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Criminal Investigation Division were executing a Federal Search Warrant at a property located in Leeward Oahu.

U.S. Attorney Kubo and EPA Assistant Administrator Nakayama confirmed that EPA Special Agents and a technical assistance team were on-site searching for evidence related to the alleged illegal handling of hazardous waste.

“EPA takes allegations of illegal hazardous waste handling very seriously,” said EPA’s Nakayama, and “I want to commend all of our law enforcement partners in assisting EPA in this effort to protect the environment and the community.”

The EPA is also working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and with Federal and State law enforcement partners. “Operation E Ola Pono 2008” is being launched to federally enforce all EPA laws in the State of Hawaii.

“We live on the most beautiful place on earth, and we were brought up to protect our very fragile Hawaiian environment.” said U.S. Attorney Kubo. “Polluters in our State are on notice that we intend to investigate these cases, and we will punish anyone who dumps hazardous materials on our lands.”

Hazardous waste needs to be properly handled to protect human health and the environment. Improperly handled hazardous waste can contaminate our nation’s waters by seeping into groundwater and running off into rivers, streams and oceans. Anyone may report the illegal dumping of hazardous wastes to EPA’s Honolulu Office at (808) 541-2720.

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