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The city Department of Environmental Services Director, Roger Babcock, has identified four potential sites to replace the aging Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill in Kapolei. These sites could include federally owned properties in West Oahu and on the Windward side.
Babcock revealed that the potential locations for Honolulu’s next solid waste dump are Lualualei in Waianae, Iroquois Point, and Waipio Peninsula near Pearl Harbor, as well as a property near Bellows Beach in Waimanalo. However, there are still other sites on military or federal land that have yet to be identified.
“Our main focus right now is securing federal lands,” Babcock stated.
During the recent Honolulu Planning Commission meeting, Babcock represented the city in its request for a two-year extension to find an alternative site for the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill. This request, submitted in December, aims to amend a previous special-use permit granted in 2019. If approved, the extension would push the deadline for identifying a new landfill site from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2024.
The existing landfill, spanning 200 acres near Ko Olina, is scheduled to close by 2028. However, the city has stated that the landfill won’t reach full capacity until 2036.
The Planning Commission meeting continued the contested case hearing that began on August 9. The city defended its request for the extension by emphasizing the health and safety concerns associated with the current landfill site.
Schnitzer Steel Hawaii Corp., a metal recycling firm in Kapolei, supported the landfill, as it relies on it to dispose of up to 150,000 tons of nonrecyclable waste residue annually. Moving this waste off-island would significantly increase costs for the company.
On the other hand, the Ko Olina Community Association Inc. and State Senator Maile Shimabukuro opposed the extension request due to the negative effects the landfill has on the Ko Olina community. These effects include odor, litter, traffic, and noise.
Babcock, who testified as the city’s lead witness, was cross-examined by lawyer Calvert Chipchase, representing the Ko Olina Community Association. Chipchase inquired about the city’s efforts to find a new landfill, which could potentially lead to changes in the existing law, Act 73.
Act 73, which went into effect in 2020, imposes restrictions on waste disposal facility locations. These restrictions include not locating facilities near conservation lands, within half-mile “buffer zones” of residential areas, schools, hospitals, or airports, or in tsunami zones.
Interestingly, the four federal properties being considered as landfill sites are either located near coastal areas or fall within tsunami zones.
A previous presentation by the Board of Water Supply in October 2022 identified six potential sites for a new landfill, all of which were rejected due to their location in the “no pass zone.” This zone covers the interior of the island where Oahu’s potable water aquifer is located.
Babcock confirmed during the hearing that the city is exploring options to amend or rescind Act 73. They are also considering using eminent domain on private properties and leveraging federal or military lands for a new landfill.
Chipchase questioned Babcock regarding the city’s discussions with the federal government for potential landfill properties, to which Babcock stated that inquiries had been made in the past and that discussions had taken place as early as December or the beginning of the current year.
When asked about evaluating the acquisition of residential properties under eminent domain, Babcock stated that the city began exploring this option at the beginning of 2023.
Chipchase also inquired about the city’s efforts to amend or rescind Act 73, and Babcock confirmed that both options had been evaluated. He identified several sites outside the “no pass zone” that could be potential landfill locations.
When asked if the city had requested the state Legislature to amend or rescind Act 73, Babcock replied that they had not done so at this time, but it could be considered if acquiring federal lands is not successful.
The lawyer also questioned Babcock about his previous comments regarding discussions with the federal government. Babcock stated that he could not elaborate because he was not part of those discussions. He mentioned that the mayor, along with the city’s managing director, were involved in those talks.
To allow for additional testimony, the Planning Commission has decided to continue the landfill hearing to its November 1 meeting.
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