David Y. Ige

HONOLULU — The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) and the City and County of Honolulu will host a joint conference to address development opportunities and environmental issues along the city’s 20-mile rail transit line.

The Hawaii Brownfields Forum #7 will be held Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Neal Blaisdell Center. The conference is free and open to the public, although registration is required. To register to attend in person or to watch the live streaming event on-line, please visit https://bit.do/Hawaii_Brownfields_Forum.

The workshop is designed for landowners, developers, real estate brokers, environmental professionals, and others with an interest in making sure Honolulu gets the most from its rail project.

“Because many areas along the rail line and stations have a history of heavy industrial activities, it is essential that landowners make sure their property is safe for redevelopment,” said Keith Kawaoka, deputy director of Environmental Health. “This workshop will help them understand these issues, their responsibilities, and the resources available to help them get the job done.”

In addition to brownfield redevelopment, the conference will discuss transit-oriented development (TOD) opportunities.  Workshop participants include Brennon Morioka, deputy executive director, Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation; Harrison Rue, Community Building and TOD administrator; Keith Kawaoka, deputy director, DOH Environmental Health; and developer Stanford Carr.

“In addition to providing an alternative to the worst traffic in the nation and creating greatly needed affordable housing, rail presents an opportunity to address longstanding environmental concerns through the redevelopment of brownfield sites along the rail alignment,” said Mayor Kirk Caldwell. “This is a chance to heal the land and leave future generations with a cleaner, greener, and healthier Oahu.”

The workshop is also sponsored by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Center for Creative Land Recycling, and the American Planning Association.  For more information, contact Melody Calisay, DOH, at (808) 586-4249.

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