MAY 17, 2015
AIEA, OAHU
(HAWAIINEWSNOW)
The state is
investigating a chemical spill that killed hundreds of fish in Aiea.People
started seeing and smelling the dead fish in the drainage ditch near the Pearl
Harbor bike path on Tuesday. Environmentalist Carroll Cox was disturbed by what
he saw.
"The types of
species, there's one bone fish, which is a native species, you have tilapia,
then you have guppies, and I did find two crabs that were impacted," said
Cox, president of EnviroWatch, Inc.
Hawaii State
Department of Health workers counted more than 500 dead fish on Tuesday.
Officials said the results from the water samples taken showed a low acid
chemical similar to a cleaner or solvent.
"It's right
along the bike path. It's a beautiful place and you are hit with this wall of
smell, rotting fish or decaying fish, as we'll as some chemical hint in the
air," said Cox.
Authorities are
investigating a few businesses in nearby Harbor Center, including one that had
an accidental spill on Monday.
"The party that
is responsible, if it is a spill that contributed to this, they should be
prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and in turn be made to pay
reparations or restitution," Cox said.
Authorities want to
make sure that chemicals don't drain into Pearl Harbor. Health officials said
the Navy owns the ditch and will clean it up.
The health
department posted warning signs on Friday afternoon. Workers will continue to
monitor the area this weekend.
Source: http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com