Environmental activist Carroll Cox was attacked Tuesday by two masked men armed with pipes in the Kalaeloa area not far from a property that he has been investigating for illegal use and improper dumping, Cox said.

He said he was hit on the arm, knee and head, but did not suffer major injuries. He went to a hospital for an examination and returned home later Tuesday.

He said two cars pulled up near his car on Boxer Road about 3:30 p.m., and two men approached. Cox said he exited the car to defend himself but was hit with pipes. The men left after some witnesses gathered, he said.

Cox said he has filed complaints with the Attorney General’s Office and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands over a house allegedly being put illegally on the Hawaiian Homes lot. He said he has also filed complaints with the Department of Health over dumping of a chemical on the property.