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

TL;DR - 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. 

March 15, 2023: ‘Forever Chemicals’ Have Been Found In Hawaii’s Environment. Now What?, Honolulu Civil Beat