HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-10 Closure of South Hilo Sanitary Landfill Nearing Completion -- press release
Harry Kim
William A. Kucharski
Mayor
Director
Roy Takemoto
Diane A. Noda
Managing Director
Deputy Director
County of Hawai‘i
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
345 Kekūanāoʻa Street, Suite 41 · Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
Ph: (808) 961-8083 · Fax: (808) 961-8086
Email: cohdem@hawaiicounty.gov
June 10, 2020
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Gene Quiamas, Environmental Compliance Specialist, Department of
Environmental Management (Solid Waste Admin 808-961-8270)
Closure of South Hilo Sanitary Landfill Nearing Completion
The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Environmental Management’s Solid Waste
Division (SWD) began the process of closing the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill in August
2019; and with their contractor, Kiewit Construction, the project is now nearing
completion. The SWD began the process of closing the landfill when they hired HDR
Engineering to facilitate the closure plan, which was submitted to and approved by the
State of Hawaiʻi Department of Health.
Use of the landfill goes back to the 1960s, and it received the last truckload of waste in
December 2019.
Below are some facts regarding the closure of the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill:
The project consists of capping the 40-acre waste fill with soil cover, a polyethylene
liner, synthetic turf liner, and installation of storm water management structures. The
green synthetic turf grass (like that used on indoor football fields) was placed over the
polyethylene liner and sealed. The amount of turf installed could cover over 30 football
fields.
The project is expected to be substantially complete by mid-June of 2020.
The capping method is the first to be permitted and constructed in Hawaiʻi and is
expected to reduce overall maintenance.
Thank you for doing your part in keeping our island a clean and safe paradise. Please
visit our website at www.hawaiizerowaste.org for locations and services, or call our
Department of Environmental Management, Solid Waste Division Office, at 961-8270.
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer