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May 16, 2003
The State Department of Health (DOH) has issued a municipal solid
waste (MSW) landfill modification and renewal permit to the City and
County of Honolulu (City) to allow for the expansion of the Waimanalo
Gulch Landfill at 92-460 Farrington Highway, Kapolei.
The landfill is on the southwest part of the island of Oahu and
accepts MSW from City collection routes, private collection companies,
residential and commercial self-haulers, and ash from H-Power.
The permit allows the City, as owner, and Waste Management of
Hawaii, Inc., as operator, to expand the MSW landfill waste footprint
by 14.9 acres to a total of 78.9 acres. The landfill expansion will
extend its filling capacity by approximately five years. The site and
permitted operation satisfy the location restrictions, design,
monitoring and operational criteria set forth in state and federal
regulations.
On March 14, 2003, a public notice was published on the draft permit
and application for the 14.9 acre expansion. Public comments were
accepted from March 14, 2003, to April 17, 2003. In addition, a public
hearing was held on April 14, 2003, at Kapolei Hale, where oral and
written comments on the draft permit and application were accepted.
Based on the comments received, the Department requires that a mud
and dust prevention program be reviewed and revised as needed. The
Department also requires the operations plan be updated and revised. A
final closure plan is required to be submitted by May 1, 2005.
A litter control plan and its implementation are required by the
Department’s permit. Landfill operators operate a litter control
program that includes timely placement of cover material in active
cells, permanent and temporary litter control fencing, and work crews
that control litter both on-site and along the highway fronting the
landfill.
Odor misters that reduce landfill odors are currently in place and
operate on a timed basis. The use of daily cover and immediate burial
of odorous waste also reduce odors; these are operational procedures
required and will be implemented under the permit.
The City and Waste Management are actively managing the visual
impact of the landfill and are consulting with the community. Actions
taken on already filled areas include: vegetated buffer strip along the
eastern portion of the landfill, hydromulching to encourage grass
growth, painting portions of the drainageway to match surrounding
terrain, and placement of painted erosion control fabric to simulate
natural rock outcroppings.
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For more information, contact
Janice Okubo
Department of Health
Phone: (808) 586-4442
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