HONOLULU (KHON2) — Four years and counting, that’s how long a mold issue at the City’s Facility and Maintenance Road Division Administrative Office has been a problem.
The City said it’s been working to resolve the issue, but workers who were concerned about the situation contacted KHON2.
A leaky roof at the Facility and Maintenance Road Division Office in Halawa was supposed to be repaired back in June 2020.
Workers at the office said they’re frustrated waiting for a repair to solve the mold problem and when they saw how quickly the Corporation Counsel Offices were closed over air quality issues back in May, they contacted KHON2.
When we reached out to the City for answers, they explained a problem with the sealant is to blame, but said a repair was near.
“We believe with the identification of a new sealant product that we’ve already ordered that the contractor is going to take about a month to get into stock and then about a week to apply to the roof there, that those issues will be resolved,” said Ian Scheuring, City and County of Honolulu spokesperson.
The City told us an air quality test was done at the Road Maintenance Office about a year ago and it came back clear.
To address employees’ concerns now, another air quality test will be conducted this Thursday.
“If that subject matter expert, if the report comes in and indicates that facility is not safe for employees to be there, those employees are going to be relocated,” said Schuering.
The City said the safety concerns for employees at the Office of Corporation Counsel — which is currently closed — is a different issue.
“There are some issues with insulation with the system deteriorated to the point now where when the HVAC system runs that deteriorated fiberglass insulation is now getting into the air,” explained Scheuring.
Corp COunsel employees are working in other offices while the City finds a long-term solution.
The cost for the roof repair at the Road Services Division is roughly $1.7 million.
The City said any employee who doesn’t feel safe can be accommodated at another location until repairs are complete.