2019-11-27 Meeting Minutes (EMC)

Home

Director Kucharski said he wanted to provide some basics of the solid waste stream flow to the landfill so the commissioners would have an idea of the scope. About 29% is paper, plastics are about 10%, glass about 3%, organics about 43%, metal about 10% and miscellaneous about 5%. When they stopped collecting the plastics and paper recyclables, their waste load changed by only 1 to 1.5%. They recycle only about 7% of the waste stream, other than greenwaste. The waste stream of big box stores are not in the county’s numbers, as those stores take care of it themselves. Regarding sewer inflow and infiltration, he does not have much more information. Their sewage pump stations are being sampled for salinity, and they are testing between manholes. If they find spikes, they will try to determine where they are from so repairs can be made. They have put in a CIP request of the state to look at the whole Aliʻi Drive system, because one of the constraints with the R-1 is salinity, which is caused by the I&I. They are hoping to have a professional look into it and make recommendations so they can minimize the amount of salinity getting into the Kealakehe system. Regarding Chair Bennett’s request for information on injection wells, Director Kucharski provided said the commissioners were emailed the DOH permits for the two injection wells DEM has, which are in Honokaʻa and Kaloko. Regarding Bill 109, it changes the section of the code where the EMC is to provide input on proposed legislation. The EMC still has 45 days to respond to a bill, but if there is no response it will be deemed neutral—neither for nor against the bill. Director Kucharski provided additional information in response to questions from Commissioners Pequeño and Cardwell: • The Hilo landfill closed officially November 22, and the waste is being transported to the West Hawaiʻi landﬁll at Puʻuanahulu. When a truck drops its waste, it gets re-loaded with mulch for the return trip. Most of their trucks, however, have many miles on them, and sometimes a transfer station has to close because there is no truck available to pull a trailer. The issue is continuous but is being worked on. th • The West Hawaiʻi landﬁll is in its 11 cell. Estimates for its life span range from 100 to 150 years. If the EMC would like to tour the landfill at the next Kona meeting or just see it on their own, let him know. Chair Bennett asked Ms. Mellon-Lacey to make arrangements with the Office of Information Practices to get permission for them to have a meeting with a site visit of the West Hawaiʻi landﬁll. 7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS There were no requested future agenda items. 10