Glossary · Environmental review & hazards

HEER (Contamination Sites)

Hawaiʻi Department of Health — Hazard Evaluation & Emergency Response (HEER) Office

HEER stands for Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response — the Hawaiʻi Department of Health office that runs the state's contaminated-site program. Its docket tracks releases, cleanups, and sites under assessment across the islands.

A HEER-listed site at or near a parcel is a flag that contamination may be a diligence issue — from a former fuel release to an industrial legacy. It's the state-side analog to the federal contamination databases a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment reviews.

A nearby HEER site doesn't by itself condemn a parcel, but it typically warrants a Phase I ESA to understand whether a recognized environmental condition attaches to the property.

What it means for a parcel

Surfacing whether a parcel sits near a HEER-listed release early tells you whether an environmental Phase I is likely to turn up something — a cost and risk worth knowing before, not after, an offer.

What is a HEER site in Hawaiʻi?

A site on the Hawaiʻi Department of Health's Hazard Evaluation & Emergency Response docket — a tracked contamination release, cleanup, or assessment. A nearby HEER site usually warrants a Phase I ESA.

This is a plain-language reference, not legal advice. KILO is a pre-development screening tool, not a system of record — confirm any determination with the agency of jurisdiction.

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