‘Never been this angry’: Lawmakers to fight proposed landfill site in Central Oahu
Honolulu’s mayor says he stands by the decision.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Some powerful state lawmakers say they will fight the city’s plan to build a new landfill on agriculture land outside Wahiawa.
“I have never been this angry before in my role as a legislator,” state Rep. Sean Quinlan, House majority leader, told Hawaii News Now.
The pushback comes after last week’s announcement that the city decided to put the next landfill northwest of Wahiawa on agricultural land 800 feet above Oahu’s aquifer.
“I can tell you that I will be putting in a bill next year that would make it illegal to put a landfill on top of an aquifer,” said Quinlan.
“Myself and my community are going to fight to protect this land,” he added.
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi told Hawaii News Now he stands by that decision. He said a new landfill can be built safely to protect future generations and that the decision came with much planning and problem solving.
“Should there be laws that are passed that prohibit anything being built over an aquifer given the options, that means a landfill ultimately, we have no path forward,” said Blangiardi.
“It’s going to go closer to people, schools and hospitals,” he added.
Act 73 currently bans landfills within a half-mile buffer zone for schools, residences and hospitals.
The law could be modified, and Quinlan says all options are on the table.
In media statements, Dole Food Company says it was surprised by the city’s decision and it’s working with state agencies to finalize its donation of the Wahiawa Irrigation System, including Lake Wilson and the Wahiawa Dam, to the state.
“The state is putting quite a bit of resources into purchasing ag land. So far we have over 4,000 acres. We’re currently in negotiations with Dole to take over Lake Wilson and the dam,” said state Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, Senate Ways and Means Chair.
“If Dole ever decides to leave the state, the state would be interested in purchasing the the ag lands that it currently has,” he added.
For the Central Oahu landfill, the city would need to acquire 150 acres from Dole.
On Tuesday morning, Sen. Kurt Fevella and some community groups are planning a protest and news conference opposing the landfill site.
The decision is getting support from other state lawmakers, like Rep. Darius Kila and Sen. Brenton Awa.
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