200 weigh in against
landfill in Kailua
At least 200 Windward residents turned out to protest putting Oahu's next landfill at Kapaa Quarry in Kailua, citing environmental, economic, health and safety reasons.
Many speakers emphasized the importance of Kawainui Marsh, which is immediately downstream of the proposed landfill site.
Others focused on the cost of putting a landfill where Ameron Quarry operates.
The meeting at Kailua Recreation Center was the second of two meetings held by the City Council's Public Works and Economic Development Committee, which is charged with choosing a new landfill site by June. The first meeting was Monday night in Kapolei.
The committee also meets today at 2:30 p.m. at Honolulu Hale to hear information about plasma arc and other technologies that could be used to reduce the volume of garbage.
Environmental groups have received or are seeking $3 million of federal grants to improve Kawainui Marsh and it should not be used for a landfill, said Windward Ahupuaa Alliance President Shannon Wood.
Rafael Nacif, a Hawaii Pacific University student, noted that there are endangered species living in Kawainui Marsh.
Acquiring the Ameron quarry would cost the city $43 million and Ameron would lose $75 million, said state Sen. Fred Hemmings (R, Lanikai-Waimanalo).
Bob Wilkinson, a business competitor to Ameron Quarry, noted that there hasn't been a new quarry approved on Oahu since 1974.
State Rep. Ken Ito (D, Heeia-Kaneohe) asked that the quarry be taken out of consideration, pointing to massive building plans for the coming decades by the military and others that will need the quarry's products.
Wade Wakayama, president of Ameron International, showed a large photograph of the quarry after recent heavy rains. "That's 200 acres 15 feet deep, 300 million gallons of water," Wakayama said. "Use your imagination what this would look like if this were a landfill."
State Rep. Cynthia Thielen (R, Kaneohe-Kailua) noted that state jobless rate is escalating currently "because we don't have our quarry (Ameron) operating at this point. What do you think would happen to jobs in the state of Hawaii if we made it impossible for Ameron to operate?" she asked.
State Rep. Tommy Waters (D, Lanikai-Waimanalo) pointed out that rainwater runoff from a landfill would have to be treated under Environmental Protection Agency guidelines, which would be expensive.
"My community absolutely, positively does not want a landfill in Kapaa. It simply doesn't make sense. It doesn't make economic sense. It doesn't make environmental sense," Waters said. Money spent on putting a landfill at Kapaa could be better spent fixing roads and sewers, he said.
The state Land Use Commission approved using the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill until June 2008, providing that the city named a replacement by June this year. The City Council is seeking an extension of that deadline until Dec. 1.
Madison Spotts pointed out that industries are relocating on Kapaa Quarry Road because of development in Kailua town, but that they wouldn't be able to move there is a landfill is put there. "It's not about saying not in our back yard," she said. "Our back yard is full."
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Sites offer solution
The Mayor's Advisory Committee on Landfill Selection recommended four potential landfill sites to the City Council in December:
for 25 years at most>> Maili on the Leeward Coast, which would cost $1,482,578 a year to operate for an estimated 15-year life. Landowner is Sphere LLC which hasn't publicly commented on its interest in selling for a landfill.
>> Nanakuli on the Leeward Coast, which would cost $1,594,075 a year to operate for an estimated 16-year life. Landowner is Shige International Inc., which hasn't publicly commented on its interest in selling for a landfill.
>> Makaiwa on the Leeward Coast, which would cost $1,644,923 a year to operate for an estimated 25-year life. Landowner is the Campbell Estate, which opposes a landfill there.
>> Kapaa Quarry in Kailua, which would cost $1,775,070 a year to operate for an estimated 15-year life. Landowner is Kaneohe Ranch, a division of Harold Castle Trust, which opposes a landfill there.
Public Works and Economic Development Committee Chairman Rod Tam has said the committee will also consider the option of expanding Waimanalo Gulch Landfill, which would cost $653,842 a year to operate over an estimated 20-year life.
Source: Mayor's Advisory Committee on Landfill Selection
