‘Scared for our health’: Neighbors report breathing problems from junkyard next to Waiawa Stream

News admin June 23, 2026 0 Comments

‘Scared for our health’: Neighbors report breathing problems from junkyard next to Waiawa Stream

PEARL CITY (HawaiiNewsNow) – A 2.6-acre junkyard operation on Lehua Avenue is facing a $55,000 fine from the Department of Health for releasing debris into Waiawa Stream.

Drone video shows cars, refrigerators and mountains of metal piled on the property between a curve of Waiawa Stream. Neighbors who live along the Pearl Harbor bike path behind the junkyard say dust from the operation is causing breathing problems.

“It’s a constant moving of garbage and trucks coming in and dumping. Stockpiling and pushing and all that dust is coming through my house coming through our homes. We breathing it. We eating it. It’s on our clothes, on our floors,” said Albert Kim, a resident.

Debris washed into stream during March storms

Residents say about a year ago they started seeing more trash arriving in large roll off dumpsters. That’s when they started smelling chemicals and seeing dust fly through the air.

“I’m just scared. I’m scared for our health. What’s in that dust. For me health wise, I feel it in my throat,” said Corrie Young, a resident.

Neighbors’ concerns increased after the Kona low storms in March washed debris into Waiawa Stream.

“It’s become an illegal landfill in our backyard. The community needs your help and we need you to act now,” Kim said.

Health department meeting scheduled

Last year, the Department of Health issued a notice of violation and a $55,000 fine to both ABC Towing and Parts and property owner JH Hawaii Property for releasing debris into Waiawa Stream, a violation of water pollution laws.

“The first attempt to serve the demand letter was unsuccessful. A second demand letter was subsequently provided to the property owner’s legal representative, and the department’s attorney has been in communication with that representative regarding the matter.

The Notice of Violation and Order remains unresolved.

“To date, the department has not received a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit application from the property owner or operator,” said the Hawaii State Department of Health in a statement.

The general manager of ABC Towing and Parts did not want to be interviewed on camera, but told Hawaii News Now he’s trying to clean up the property and the work will take about eight months. He said they have a scheduled meeting with health officials at the property on Tuesday.