The state Health Department said the Weinberg Foundation must conduct lead abatement at the former site of the Swat Gun Club in Waikiki.

The gun club, which had operated at 2266 Kuhio Ave. for more than two decades, was evicted several months ago along with about 10 other businesses in a complex of buildings leased by Bloss Family LP on a site owned by an affiliate of the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. In March, the Honolulu Fire Department discovered live ammunition, rubber casings and empty shell casings and issued a notice of violation.

Corbett Kalama, a Weinberg Foundation spokesman in Hawaii, did not immediately return a call from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. But state Health Department spokeswoman Janice Okubo said in an email that Weinberg is working with an environmental contractor and the Honolulu Fire Department to address the hazards.

“The Honolulu Fire Department is in touch with the property owner and monitoring the situation. If the site is going to be demolished, the entire building structure may need to be tested. If they clean it up or renovate it, the wastes generated from that effort will have to be tested and a hazardous waste determination made,” Okubo said.

Okubo said Weinberg has told DOH that it has not made a decision on the future use of the building. However, Okubo said, “They do understand that if the space is leased, or if renovations/demolition will take place, then lead abatement must be completed.”

The complex’s landlord abruptly served tenants, including the gun club, with eviction notices in January. Other evictions included: Seaside Bar &Grill, Tsunami’s Waikiki nightclub, Vietnamese restaurant Old Saigon, a tattoo parlor, Amnesia and Envy nightclubs, Club Alley Cat, strip club Hawaii By Night and adult video store King Video.

Bloss Family LP and Weinberg did not explain the changes; however, the properties, which were surrounded by heavy Waikiki investment, suffered from deferred maintenance. The complex also attracted notoriety in September when a man with a rifle fired about 10 rounds into a crowd outside Club Alley Cat, injuring two people and killing 22-year-old Maleko “Mac” Remlinger.

Waikiki resident Dave Moskowitz, who once worked at the gun club, said he welcomes improvements, but hopes to see ample oversight during the lead abatement. Moskowitz said news stories across the nation have highlighted the dangers and complexities of cleaning up lead contamination from gun ranges.

Waikiki Neighborhood Board member Mark Smith, who owns several businesses adjacent to the Weinberg site, said he’ll be watching to ensure that any contaminants are properly removed during what could be a lengthy process.

“If they don’t send in a certified company with employees in hazmat suits and remove it in a safe manner, I won’t be very happy because it would potentially expose people in the nearby hostels and apartments and neighboring restaurants,” he said.

Real estate analyst Stephany Sofos said the gun club mitigation is unlikely to be more than a temporary setback for Weinberg, which has timed the market well.

“They were really smart to wait. Now, they are in a hot market and they’ll get top rates for whatever they do,” Sofos said. “They are like the ugly kid who has finally put on a new dress and is going to the ball. It’s all good from here — whatever they do will turn to gold.”