Kekaha Road Brownfields Program
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the official website for the Kekaha Road Brownfields Program, an initiative led by the County of Kaua‘i in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This project aims to assess and evaluate potentially contaminated properties, or “brownfields,” along the Kekaha Road corridor as a means to improve the quality of life for Kekaha residents.
Through community-based planning and the utilization of brownfields assessment grant funds, the County will work with willing property owners and other stakeholders in repurposing opportunity sites for local-serving uses, such as housing, jobs, services, and civic amenities.
What is a Brownfield?
A brownfield site is land that may be difficult to reuse or redevelop because of actual or suspected pollution or contamination.
The EPA’s Brownfields Program helps communities, states, and other partners work together to assess, clean up, and safely revitalize these sites. Through EPA funding, communities across the country are transforming brownfields into safe, usable spaces for the future.
PROJECT TIMELINE
The anticipated project deadline is October 2025. View the tabs below for more details on each project task.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency awarded the County a Community-wide Brownfields Assessment Grant in October 2021. The County released a Request for Professional Services, similar to a Request for Qualifications, to seek a qualified environmental professional firm that could assist with program implementation. After careful review and negotiations, the County secured a contract with Stantec Consulting Services Inc. as the primary consultant to lead with assessment activities and assist with community engagement.
Task Complete. The County launched the program to the public and created a project website to post updates and upcoming outreach events.
Identify and create an inventory of brownfields properties in Kekaha: We will conduct a comprehensive survey to identify and catalog brownfields properties within the Kekaha area. These properties will be screened against specific criteria and ranked in order of priority for further assessment and cleanup.
Task Complete. The assessment of the Kekaha Road Corridor has been completed for the project area. We reached out to owners whose properties have been identified as opportunities sites. The owner of Kekaha Sugar Mill Lot B (vacant lot closer to Waimea side) has agreed to participate.
To understand the environmental conditions of former industrial sites, the County is conducting two types of environmental site assessments (ESAs):
- Phase I ESA: Experts reviewed historical records and site conditions to identify potential environmental concerns.
- Phase II ESA: Based on initial findings, select properties move to Phase II, which includes soil and groundwater testing to identify and measure possible contamination.
The County is currently working with the owners of Kekaha Sugar Mill Lot B to carry out Phase II activities. A Sampling and Analysis Plan has been approved by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health and the EPA. Soil sampling at the Kekaha Sugar Mill, Lot B property was completed on May 2, 2025. County is currently analyzing the samples.
Develop a clean-up plan for the completed Phase II ESAs: Properties assessed in Phase II may be chosen for the development of a comprehensive clean-up plan. These plans will outline the necessary actions to remediate the site, ensuring it is safe for future use and development.
Conduct community engagement: We strongly believe in the power of community involvement. Throughout the project, we will actively engage with impacted stakeholders and community members to gather input, address concerns, and ensure that their voices are heard in the decision-making process.
Why is Soil Sampling Important?
Soil Sampling Process
The Hawai‘i Department of Health requires Multi-Increment Sampling (MIS), a method used to collect small soil samples from multiple locations across a site, mixing them together to get a more accurate picture of overall contamination levels. Play the above video to get a quick understanding of the soil sampling process.
Disclaimer: This video was not created by the County of Kaua‘i or its consultants. It is shared for informational purposes only.
Video Credit: INTERA Environmental Assessment – Incremental Sampling Methodology. (2021). YouTube. Uploaded by Intera. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7fpVBftbWk
Step by Step Process
The graphic below breaks down the sampling work in five steps. Click the right arrow to view each step.
PROJECT UPDATES
We are in the “ASSESS” phase.
GET INVOLVED
The revitalization of the Kekaha corridor holds immense potential and aims to preserve its unique character while unlocking its potential for the benefit of the community. We invite all community members and stakeholders to actively participate in this project. Your insights and input are invaluable in maintaining the existing character while enhancing the potential of the Kekaha corridor. Below are options to stay updated on the project’s progress:
A selected group of local residents will guide environmental assessment activities and inform outreach strategies. If you’re interested, please contact us for more information.
We will host public meetings with the intent to present findings, prioritize brownfield sites, and develop a clean-up plan.
Last Meeting: Thursday, February 15, 5:30pm at Kekaha Elementary School.
Contact us to be added to the mailing list! We will email project updates to interested stakeholders who sign up.
CONTACT US
For any inquiries or to get involved, please contact Ana Española:
Email: aespanola@kauai.gov
Phone: (808) 241- 1968
