UH Calls In Specialists To Help Library Recovery

HONOLULU -- The University of Hawaii hired one of the largest cleanup companies in the world to help with the flooding at its Manoa campus.

At least three planeloads of equipment are being flown into Oahu. The first is set to arrive in Honolulu Friday night.

Constant rain Friday added to the tough situation.

Starting Saturday, teams will step up the cleanup and salvage effort. BMS Catastrophe has helped in major cleanups around the country.

Hamilton Library suffered the worst damage. On Friday, librarians struggled to salvage what they could now that mold and mildew has set in.

BMS CAT plans to bring in a fleet of dehumidifiers and coolers to prevent the damage from spreading to the collections of books on the upper floors.

The company has hired some local contractors to help in the effort. Crews are expected to work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until the job is done.

"We are probably looking at 30 to 45 days in time to get the place cleaned up. We are also looking at freeze-drying documents, wet paper film and microfilm that might be affected and we will work with the university on securing those pieces of property that need to be restored," BMS CAT Vice President Tim Draney said.

BMS CAT estimates the work to clean up and dry the four buildings damaged in the flood will cost about $5 million. After that, UH will have to contract with a company to renovate the buildings.

The administration doesn't have a handle yet on the losses of equipment and books.

University administrators said its safety office has secured any hazardous material at the biomedical and agriculture buildings.

The company will be looking at the best way to dispose of any biohazards as part of its contract.