Mike Kitagawa’s proposal to put a car crushing and storage facility next to the Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary is fast becoming an explosive issue.
Literally.
Officials with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Department of Land and Natural Resources Division, among other state and federal agencies, have already gone on record saying that crushing cars could harm the sensitive Kanaha Pond (see “The Big Squeeze,” Apr. 7). Now add the Maui County Department of Fire and Safety to that list.
The fire department’s mission is to protect life, environment and property. According to official comments filed with the county on the Kitagawa proposal, the site presents a potential threat to all three.
“A fire is a very real possibility at this location, even with most/all vehicle fluids removed,” wrote Captain Val Martin. One of Martin’s biggest concerns is that the fuel load of upholstery and interior plastics are more than enough to maintain and spread a fire throughout the stored vehicles.
“Brake fluid is a major concern due to its characteristics and its ability to spontaneously ignite when mixed with certain oxidizers,” Martin added. While Kitagawa plans on draining the fluids before crushing, residual fluids could be trapped in the lines and cavities when crushing begins.
Kitagawa has said he wants to do whatever it takes to address these and other environmental concerns about his application. He’s noted that there are two fire hydrants on an adjoining property and the equipment on-site will carry a fire extinguisher.
But if a fire occurs, Martin is also worried about contaminating the Kanaha Wildlife Sanctuary.
“All water used to fight a fire at this facility may eventually runoff into the protected wildlife area,” he wrote. “This runoff water may include residual contaminants such as motor oil, coolant, brake fluid, etc.”
Martin also worries that in the event of a fire, the prevailing trade winds will allow the smoke to travel to populated areas in the Kahului area. “This is a serious health hazard and the smoke content will be more harmful to residents as compared to organic matter,” he wrote.
Fire Chief Carl Kaupalolo explains that we have to look carefully at the site’s proposed location.
“Not only is this property next to a pristine Wildlife Sanctuary,” he said, “it is in a high occupancy area.” High occupancy, to say the least: neighboring properties include The Gas Company storage facility, the Maui Oil Company office building and fuel dispensing facility, VIP Foods and an office building.
The Gas Company manager Mustafa Demirbag told me that while he cannot control what happens around his facility, he’s also concerned about a possible explosion. Currently, The Gas Company facility has two 210,000-gallon liquid propane tanks and four 30,000 gallon horizontal or bullet tanks on their property. They’re also planning to add six more 30,000-gallon bullet tanks.
“Kitagawa’s U-shaped property surrounds our storage tanks and building,” Demirbag told me. “The possibility of a fire is a great concern for our company.”
Some of the occupants of the office building fronting Kitagawa’s property are uneasy about their new neighbor as well. Ralph Sifford, who owns Second Wind Sail Surf and Kite, told me he’s nervous about having the crushing facility in such close proximity to his business and the neighboring retail space.
“This is my livelihood,” he said. “This building holds my inventory, my employees, and our future. Exposing the neighboring business owners and their employees to the risk of a fire is not right.”
While Maui desperately needs a facility to deal with abandoned cars and appliances, it’s becoming clear that the lot directly adjacent to the Kanaha Wildlife Sanctuary and many local businesses is a bad choice.
“I would like to suggest that a different site be found that would limit the exposure of a fire to less populated areas,” Fire Captain Martin wrote. “I would also like to suggest that a site be found that does not border a wildlife refuge or sanctuary.” MTW
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