HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0874.000 1998-2000
R O. Box 1520, Pahoa, HI 96778
(808) 965-9254
"mop" punaoc@excite.com 1
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e r.
July 21, 2000
Dominic Yagong, Chair
Committee on Public Works & Parks
Hawai'i County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Dear Counciman Yagong:
Enclosed are a series of photos taken at the Pahoa Transfer Station at about 8:00 a.m.,
Tuesday, July i V h.
The county worker (pictured) informed me that they had changed the bins the day before
(i.e., on Monday), and that instead of changing the bins every other day, as they had in the past,
they now have to change them daily - and still they overflow, as you can see. He ascribed the
problems to illegal commercial usage filling the bins to such an extent that there is no room for
residential refuse.
There was so much rubbish blocking access to the bins that I was unable to approach
closely enough to dump my own garbage, so I returned about 3 p.m. The crew was still there,
tackling the overflow.
I do not believe that commercial usage is the 2nly cause of this problem. When I moved
to Puna in 1979, the surrounding subdivisions were mostly unoccupied and there were 3 transfer
stations: Pahoa, Red Road and Kea'au. Puna is the fastest growing district in the state, and
while there are still unoccupied lots in the subdivisions, we are rapidly approaching build-out.
The State has tried, somewhat, to keep pace with the burgeoning population with new schools
and wider and new roads. The County responded to the problem by doing a major redistricting
for elections purposes several years ago. But Puna still has only 3 transfer stations.
Possible Solutions: In a brief discussion with Jiro Sumada of the Department of Public
Works, he suggested closing the Pahoa Transfer Station completely and building another larger
one in a more centralized location. I see no reason to close down Pahoa (if it's not broken, don't
fix it), but we might consider adding more trailer-bins to that facility. I also think we need a new
station located near the lower end of Maku'u in Hawaiian Paradise Park or at an equivalent
elevation in Hawaiian Beaches/Shores - with a road opened between the two subdivisions to
Comm. No.23LA_
File No. REF
Ref. To: pyw%i f L
Ref, Date JUL 2 6 2000
allow access without the need to drive all the way up to the Pahoa-Kea'au Highway and then
back down again. Residents in these areas have the longest drive to legally dispose of their
household rubbish. Because many find it too inconvenient, we have been plagued with major
unofficial dump sites, such as Sand Hill (Pu'u One) and Railroad Avenue.
We need to be proactive. We must recognize that Puna is about the size of O'ahu. To
build a "centrally-located" transfer station will mean that everyone will have to drive long
distances. Illegal dumping will doubtless increase. Transfer stations have to be dispersed in
such a way that no one has to drive too far to legally dispose of their garbage. Let's stop
creating obstacles to proper disposal. Let's make it easier for the public to do the right thing.
This is a vital issue that requires some brainstorming from your committee and the full
council, because sooner or later every district on this island will be faced with this dilemma. It is
not a problem that should be decided solely within the DPW, because siting of new transfer
stations will require broad public input. I therefore urge you and your committee to examine all
possible solutions to the problem of the impact of population growth on our overburdened
transfer station facilities, and decide on one that is not only cost-effective but is also goal-
effective. The goal is to provide sufficient facilities to serve a growing populace in such a way
that the public willingly cooperates by using said facilities rather than resorting to illegal
dumping.
Please agendize this matter in the County Council's Committee on Public Works and
Parks, so that we can begin to move towards a viable solution.
Mahalo plenty,
Rend Siracusa, President
Malama O Puna
(formerly Puna Outdoor Circle)
cc: Jiro Sumada, DPW