Pohokalo community seeks right-of-entry, brownfields work to revive former armory site
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Summary
Pōhōkalo residents asked DHHL for right-of-entry, funding and environmental assessment to clean and redevelop a 1.77-acre former armory site for a culturally centered community center, and outlined an EPA-funded brownfields partnership for testing and remediation.
Residents of the Pōhōkalo (Pekokala) Hawaiian Homes neighborhood presented a plan on Sept. 16 to steward and redevelop a 1.77-acre former armory site on Kūhiō Place into a community-operated cultural, resilience and food‑sustainability hub.
What residents proposed: Tracy Gomes, representing Pōhōkalo Hawaiian Homes, described the site's history (military armory and National Guard maintenance facility) and said environmental baseline surveys received under a Freedom of Information Act request show areas with potential petroleum‑product releases and other areas requiring further evaluation. Pōhōkalo described a partnership with the EPA-funded Brownfields Assessment Project (Maui United Way/Sustainability on Maui) and said the group seeks a right-of-entry to assess, fence and, if needed, remediate portions of the parcel. The group requested DHHL assistance on fencing replacement, access, and funding for sampling and cleanup if required.
Why it matters: Presenters said the site would host cultural practices, education, agriculture and income opportunities for homestead residents. Because the parcel has a history of Department of Defense use, they said nonintrusive Phase 1 brownfields assessment is already underway and must be followed by Phase 2 sampling and analysis to confirm contamination and remediation needs.
Department response: Commissioners acknowledged the site history and urged applicants to continue grant applications and coordination with DHHL land-management staff. No formal approval was given at the meeting.
Ending: The community said it will continue partnership work and requested a DHHL right-of-entry and financial assistance to stabilize and remediate the parcel if tests show contamination.