Kapaa Quarry landfill proposal draws pushback from Windward lawmakers
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said he is looking at Kapaʻa Quarry in Windward Oʻahu as the next proposed landfill site, but the proposal is drawing opposition from Windward lawmakers and would require the state legislature to repeal existing law.
Read more New HPD chief wants to speed up hiring process using technology
Blangiardi made the comments during an appearance on HNN’s Spotlight Now. The current landfill in Nānākuli is scheduled to close in 2028.
“We have our eyesight on Kapaʻa Quarry,” Blangiardi said. “It’s been a landfill twice before, but on this island, not over an aquifer, that is the best place to put it.”
Blangiardi said he is determined not to build on the west side and acknowledged the proposal would face opposition. “I realize that there’s going to be, you know, blowback on that,” he said.
The mayor had previously faced pushback after the city floated Makaiwa Hills above Ko ʻOlina as a possible landfill site. He is now dismissing that as a “rumor.”
Lawmakers say proposal caught them off guard
State Rep. Lisa Marten, who represents Waimānalo, Enchanted Lake, Keolu Hills, Kailua Gardens and Lanikai, said she was not expecting the site to still be under consideration.
“I was very surprised. I didn’t not think Kapaʻa Quarry was still on the table,” Marten said.
Read more $1.8M awarded for wildfire mitigation as Hawaii enters peak fire season
Marten also cited environmental concerns in the area. “Like this amazing wetland the largest wetland in our state, cultural artifacts, heiau in this area as well,” she said.
Act 73 repeal would be required
Building a landfill at Kapaʻa Quarry would require the legislature to repeal which requires new or expanding landfills to have a half-mile buffer zone from homes, schools and hospitals and bans them from conservation districts.
The city said the proposed landfill site is not at its Kapaʻa Transfer Station but provided few other location specifics.
City says technical evaluation not finalized
Blangiardi said the project would not be inexpensive. “It’s not going to be cheap to build a landfill, especially Kapaʻa in a quarry,” he said. “But I think we’d actually keep HC&D’s ongoing gravel business alive too while we’re doing it. This is a long-term play.”
The Department of Environmental Services said the technical evaluation of the Kapaʻa Quarry site has not been finalized and plans to release more details through the environmental review and permitting process.
A joint statement from Windward lawmakers said they want the city to look at other areas, including ʻEwa.
Post Comment