July 26th, 2021

​Thirteen public schools on the Big Island were found to have elevated levels of lead in their tap water, state agencies announced Thursday.​

​The Big Island schools that had lead levels higher than 15 ppb:
​
• Honaunau Elementary, with two of 45 taps;
• Honokaa Elementary, with three of 52 taps;
• Hookena Elementary, with one of 14 taps;
• Kahakai Elementary, with two of 80 taps;
​
• Kalanianaole Elementary, seven of 47 taps. One tap at Kalanianaole, a sink in room D82 , tested at 398 ppb, by far the highest lead level WIIN recorded on the island;

• Kapiolani Elementary, nine of 56 taps;
• Kau High and Pahala Elementary, three of 50 taps;
• Ke Kula O Ehunuikaimalino, two of 17 taps;
• Keaukaha Elementary, three of 42 taps;
• Mountain View Elementary, one of 66 taps;
• Paauilo Elementary and Intermediate, four of 40 taps;
• Waiakea Elementary, five of 95 taps; and
• Waiakeawaena Elementary, three of 67 taps. 

The other schools tested that did not have elevated lead levels include Haaheo Elementary, Hilo Union Elementary, Holualoa Elementary, Kaumana Elementary, Kealakehe Elementary, Naalehu Elementary and Pahoa Elementary.

Kohala and Waimea elementaries also were tested, but results for those schools have not yet been released. 

​Prolonged lead exposure can cause learning difficulties and neurocognitive disorders in children, Felton said. ​

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By MICHAEL BRESTOVANSKY
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
​Friday, July 23, 2021