2006-01-AU Audit of the County of Hawai‘i's Recycling and Diversion Grants Program

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CHAPTER t BACKGROUND The County's Updated ISWMP dated December 2002 indicates that approximately 42 percent of the waste stream entering County landfills was from transfer stations in 2000. Exhibit 1.2 reprinted from the Updated ISWMP indicates that two new transfer stations are planned. However, there is no further discussion in the Updated ISWMP relating to these additional facilities or related timelines and costs for their implementation. No new transfer stations have been permitted or placed into operation at the conclusion of audit fieldwork in April 2006. Department of Environmental Management In December 2000, the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) was established by charter amendment to assume the enormous responsibility of management, oversight, and operations of all solid waste and wastewater functions formerly performed by the Department of Public Works (Hawai`i County Charter §6 -5.1). The 2000 charter amendment also provided for the establishment of an Environmental Management Commission to act as an advisory body to the department, with commission members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the County Council (Hawai`i County Charter §6 -5.5). DEM did not have permanent staff until August of 2002 when Director Barbara Bell and administrative assistant Sharon Henry were hired. The department was organized into two divisions: Solid Waste and Wastewater. The Solid Waste Division is divided into the "Operations Group" and the "Special Programs Group." The Operations Group is responsible for solid waste collection and disposal facilities in the County including the two landfills, 21 transfer stations, and island -wide hauling operations, utilizing County personnel and privately contracted services. The Special Programs Group is responsible for management of programs relating to waste stream reduction, diversion, recycling, and reuse for the County, utilizing County personnel and privately contracted services. The Solid Waste Division has experienced continual transition with the retirement of its first chief Larry Capellas in January 2003, the appointment of Bobby Gonsalves as acting chief through September 2003, the assumption of the position by Lono Tyson until his resignation in July 2005, which was followed by the appointment of Michael Dworsky in September 2005. Special Programs Group The Solid Waste Division had been newly established just prior to the audit period (July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2005). Several recycling and diversion programs established and operated under the Department of Public Works were assumed by the Solid Waste Division, with the Special Programs Group currently responsible for all recycling and diversion programs island -wide. The Special Programs Group is further divided into two functional areas: the Recycling Section headed by a Recycling Coordinator, and the Abandoned Vehicle Section which is tasked with removal and disposal of derelict vehicles found on publicly accessible roadways. Special Programs Recycling Coordinator Eileen O'Hora -Weir did not assume her position until May 2003, and has since vacated the position effective April 28, 2006. A student helper hired in January