Question: A dead horse was buried at a public beach on the North Shore, within 150 feet of the low-tide watermark at Mokuleia. Complaints have been made to the Honolulu Police Department, the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Health. Can you please follow up?
Answer: Kokua Line followed up on your complaints and was told that no solid-waste violation occurred because the horse was buried on private property, not on the public beach, and likely beyond the reach of storm waves. Dennis Galolo, a spokesman for the state Department of Health, provided a summary of the investigation:
“DOH’s Solid Waste Section (SWS), Solid & Hazardous Waste Branch looked into the incident involving the horse burial in Mokuleia. The following is what has been determined:
“DOH contacted the complainant, who provided photos that helped to confirm that the burial site is located within the private-property fence line. This was further confirmed by the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE), which conducted a site visit to the area.
“DOCARE estimated that the burial location is approximately 40 yards (120 feet) inland of the fence line and about 20 yards (60 feet) inland of the tree line, and therefore unlikely to be impacted by storm waves.
“DOH does not see a solid-waste violation for the horse burial based on the information gathered and on Hawaii Administrative Rule 11-58.1-61(c), (which states that) ‘The disposal of animal carcasses is the responsibility of the land owner or land occupant or both upon whose land the animal carcass is found. On-site disposal of the carcass shall be by immediate burial, covered by at least 2 feet of compacted earth, or by other methods approved by the director.’
“DOH is looking into related concerns raised by the complainant and will provide an update when its investigation has been completed.”
Among the related concerns you expressed to Kokua Line was whether the barbed-wire fence accurately establishes the property line separating the public beach from private land used by the Hawaii Polo Club for coastal trail rides and other activities.
We also contacted the Hawaii Polo Club, 68-411 Farrington Highway, but our phone calls and emails were not returned.
You said the horse was buried July 13. You were at the beach when you noticed a backhoe being used to dig a large hole on the other side of the fence. You asked what was going on, and perceived a potential health threat when told a horse was being buried there.
Mahalo
A great big mahalo to the gentleman who took the time and effort to hand-deliver my driver’s license to me one early July morning in Mililani. I am truly grateful that he, his wife and dog took the time to walk and deliver my license in person. I was so stressed out upon finding it missing that I didn’t give them a proper “thank you” or even ask them their names or where they lived! I am glad that they were the ones who came upon it as I was worried it would get into the hands of the “wrong” person.
Many thanks to them! — A very thankful Mililani walker
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
