‘Forever Chemicals’ Found In Hawaii Environment. Now What?

Photo: PFAS have been detected in Hawaii’s soil, groundwater and drinking water. The state has no comprehensive plan to deal with it. (Yoohyun Jung/Civil Beat/2021)

For years, Ron Fitzgerald and Sam A‘i have tended to their farm in Waiawa. What began as a dream of raising their family on the land led to teaching students Native Hawaiian practices of caring for the aina.

But now, they’re worried about how “forever chemical” pollution could impact their taro patch and fish ponds. The Hawaii Army National Guard has identified toxic chemicals known as PFAS in the nearby groundwater and is now in the process of testing local private wells.

If levels of the chemicals exceed federal safety standards, the military plans to deliver bottled water to property owners whose private wells are impacted. But at a Waiawa community briefing last month, Fitzgerald and A’i said that’s not going to work.

“Our well not only feeds our family, we not only drink from it, but we also feed our community,” A‘i said.

Waiawa is among the first communities in Hawaii to be advised that their water may contain PFAS (pronounced P-fass), which stands for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Called “forever chemicals” because they […]

Full article: ‘Forever Chemicals’ Have Been Found In Hawaii’s Environment. Now What?