HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Recovery efforts from last month’s Kona low storms are continuing, with new updates on cleanup progress and long-term support.
City officials said soil sampling is underway at the north end of Patsy Mink Central Oahu Regional Park, where a temporary debris storage site was set up during the storm response.
Debris was fully cleared from the park on April 9, and crews removed about 3 to 5 inches of surface soil as part of the cleanup process.
Initial test results show no contamination in the excavated soil. However, additional testing is being conducted to ensure the remaining exposed soil is also safe before the area can be returned to the Department of Parks and Recreation.
“They are trying to figure out where the surface soil right at the top is contaminated, if it is,” said Department of Environmental Services Director Roger Babcock. “So then they would send those samples off to the lab… and there’s things that have to be analyzed, metals, and volatiles and all kinds of chemicals including petroleum hydrocarbons.”
If the soil is cleared by the Department of Health, crews will bring in clean fill dirt and install new grass to restore the area.
Meanwhile, federal leaders are continuing to push for long-term recovery support.
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said the storms caused widespread damage across the state and emphasized the need for continued assistance.
“Recovering from a disaster of this magnitude will take months and years,” Schatz said. “The federal government has a responsibility to share the burden of rebuilding.”
He also highlighted the community response during the storms, pointing to first responders and residents who helped one another during the flooding.
Officials said recovery efforts remain ongoing as agencies continue to assess damage and support impacted communities.
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