The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Budget and Finance Committee voted Oct. 15 to incorporate a newly awarded U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Assessment cooperative agreement into OHA’s FY26–27 biennium budget and to begin planned assessment activities.

Administration staff said the cooperative agreement was awarded in June 2025 and described an 18‑month timetable to begin Phase II assessments. Trustees asked staff whether assessment work would cover OHA parcels along Ala Moana Boulevard and the area near the former incinerator; staff said priority parcels include sites with prior assessments and those closer to historic industrial activity.

Staff noted the assessment grant funds initial investigative work; cleanup funding would require a separate EPA grant application. The committee approved the budget realignment and directed staff to coordinate with the EPA and OHA land assets staff to scope Phase II assessments for five to ten parcels, with special attention to parcels that have prior testing or are adjacent to active development.

Why it matters
The grant supports environmental assessment work on OHA‑owned land that may contain contamination from historic industrial uses. Assessment is the first step that can enable later cleanup grants and redevelopment for community uses. Trustees asked staff to coordinate closely with EPA and to brief the committee on the timing and parcels chosen for assessment.

Next steps
Administration will (1) prepare a detailed assessment schedule and parcel list, (2) begin required Phase II assessments within the 18‑month timeframe in the EPA agreement and (3) report back to the committee on milestones and any subsequent cleanup‑grant opportunities.