Piles of trash kept in Kapiolani Park for study

HONOLULU — The city and county of Honolulu says it has an explanation for hundreds of pounds of trash that’s stockpiled in Kapiolani Park.

Honolulu spokesman Jesse Broder Van Dyke says the trash collected by street sweepers is being kept there so that consultants can test it for the type of debris that ends up in the ocean.

Hawaii News Now reported Wednesday there’s no protective liner under the piles to prevent potential toxic materials from seeping into the ground.

Environmental activist Carroll Cox says he’s outraged because some of the debris is getting into a storm drain that feeds into the ocean in Waikiki.

Broder Van Dyke says it’s a routine occurrence that helps improve storm water quality.

He says the trash will removed when the study is over.