Contamination Concerns Rise Amid Marine Corps Soil Testing at Ewa Beach
Recent soil testing conducted by the Marine Corps at its Ewa Beach shooting range has detected concerning levels of lead and other heavy metals, sparking debate over potential health risks to nearby communities. A draft report submitted to the state health department revealed that all 24 samples collected along the Pu‘uloa Range Training Facility in February tested positive for lead, copper, and antimony. Notably, lead levels exceeded state safety thresholds in six samples, with one registering 26 times the acceptable limit.
The Marines assert the findings pose no immediate risk, arguing that the nearby beach is closed to public access. However, the Hawaii health department disagrees, advocating for further investigation into the contamination. Health officials stress that simply exceeding state action levels warrants deeper inquiry, even if some metals are naturally present in the soil baseline.
Community concern has intensified, with local leaders, such as Ewa Beach Neighborhood Board member Alex Gaos, advocating for the relocation of the shooting range. Activists have echoed this sentiment, particularly following previous testing by the Surfrider Foundation that detected lead levels above state limits along the shoreline.
The health department’s August letter highlighted the need for additional sampling to evaluate whether contaminants might migrate towards residential areas and potentially threaten local water sources. Meanwhile, the Marines maintain that the more pressing issue is beach erosion, emphasizing their plan for ongoing long-term monitoring.
Amid these discussions, state Rep. Rose Martinez urges the Marines to take responsible action to rectify the contamination. An open house event is scheduled for December to facilitate community dialogue regarding the test results. As tensions mount, both environmental and public health are at the forefront of the conversation in Ewa Beach.
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