HONOLULU (KHON2) — The announcement of where Oahu’s next landfill should be placed is just the start of the discussion on how the state can tackle getting rid of our island’s trash.
KHON2 gathered city leaders and community members to discuss the challenges in an Empowered discussion, Tackling our Trash.
The city has a deadline to close the Waimanalo Gulch landfill by 2028. The new landfill will be located in Central Oahu on agricultural land, that’s 3.5 miles northwest of Wahiawa and 1.5 miles west of the Dole Plantation.
Dole released a statement expressing surprise by the announcement, and saying it needs time to discuss the decision with its partners and community stakeholders, and the city.
“Our immediate priority remains safeguarding Central Oahu’s agricultural community,” said Dan Nellis, General Manager, Dole Food Company Hawaii. “The Wahiawa Irrigation System is the lifeblood of our region’s farmers, providing essential water for agriculture and flood control. The transfer of this system to the State of Hawaii, as outlined in Act 218 (2023), is critical to ensuring the continued viability of agriculture on Oahu. Protecting our farmers and the community remains our top priority at this time.”
The site was selected from 6 locations evaluated by the Landfill Advisory Committee, but the decision is already proving divisive, with concerns about its potential risk to the island’s aquifer.
Joining KHON2 to discuss the future plans for Oahu, and some of the challenges the other islands are also facing:
-Roger Babcock, Director of Honolulu Environmental Services
-Matt Weyer, Honolulu City Council District 2 (Central Oahu, North Shore)
-Henry Gabriel, Honolulu’s Recycling Branch Chief
-Keao NeSmith, Kaunalewa, and environmental and cultural non-profit