SB, HI C3 Brownfields 2004 Grant Fact Sheet University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI EPA Brownfields Program EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, commu- nities, and other stakeholders in economic development to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields. Abrownfield site is real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. On January 11, 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act. Under the Brownfields Law, EPA provides financial assistance to eligible applicants through four competitive grant programs: assessment grants, revolving loan fund grants, cleanup grants, and job training grants. The job training grants provide training for residents of commu- nities affected by brownfields to prepare them for employment in the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites. Additionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal response programs through a separate mechanism. Community Description The University of Hawaii was selected to receive a job training grant. Dozens of potentially contaminated properties have been identified in Hawaii. Three of the state's 25 highest-priority brownfields are in the Kalihi area of Honolulu, which has the highest concentration of public and HUD-assisted housing in the state. Kalihi is an area where many new immigrants from the Pacific Islands and Asia first locate. Twenty percent of Kalihi households have an annual income of less than $ 15,000. A significant drop in tourism following 9-11 has increased job losses in an already stagnant, ser- 0 Job Training Grant $196,877 EPA has selected the University of Hawaii for a job training grant. The university plans to train 60 students, achieve a 75% placement rate, and track students for one year. The training will be conducted by Honolulu Community College, part of the state university system, and will include 240 hours of class instruction on the handling of hazardous materials, environmental health and safety, and hazards present at hazardous waste sites. This course work will be followed by 120 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of mentors from potential employers. Students will be recruited from among the unemployed and underemployed residents of Kalihi and adjacent communities. The college's long-term partnerships with environmental, construction, and other industries will facilitate the placement of gradu- ates in environmental jobs. Contacts For further information, including specific grant contacts, additional grant information, brownfields news and events, and publications and links, visit the EPA Brownfields web site at: www.epa.gov/ brownfields. EPA Region 9 Brownfields Team 415-972-3143 http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/brown/ index.html Grant Recipient: University of Hawaii 808-845-9434 vice-oriented economy. All of the state's 25 highest- priority brownfields sites are undergoing some level of environmental site assessment and cleanup planning. A report by the state legislature in 2001 pointed to a significant need for trained laboratory and field techni- cians and other support staff in order to provide jobs to local residents in support of state and federal brownfields redevelopment projects. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA500-F-04-017 March 2004 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |