The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2026-03-25 Environmental Management Commission MinutesENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, March 25, 2026 9:19 a.m. to 9:41 a.m. Puna Conference Room, Hilo, and Zoom A video recording is made part of these minutes, which is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl0tdw0e8xs Timestamps are provided for reference in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 92, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes. Disclaimer: These meeting minutes were generated with assistance from AI and are intended to provide a summary of discussions. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, they may not capture the full context or details of the meeting. Readers are encouraged to reference official recording for clarification if needed. County Staff Present: Daniel Girvan, Director of Department of Environmental Management (“DEM”); Michael Rivera, Solid Waste Division Chief; Christopher Laude, Temporary Assignment (“TA”) Wastewater Division Chief; Robin Bauman, Business Manager; Matthew Jaroslawski, Civil Engineer V; Patrick Cummins, Program Manager; Kelly Hartman, DEM Planner; Alex White, TA Information and Education Specialist; Ashley DeVera, Private Secretary; and Sinclair Salas-Ferguson, Deputy Corporation Counsel. Others Present: Peter Sur I. CALL TO ORDER [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 0:10] At 9:19 a.m., Chair Perez noted that the meeting had been canceled due to a lack of quorum. However, public testimony on agenda items was still accepted, and updates from DEM could be provided. No decision-making or discussion on the updates could occur. Chair Perez introduced Louisa Lee, the new District 3 Commissioner. Commissioner’s Present: • Jim Beets (District 1) In-person • Louisa “Sasa” Anthony Lee (District 3) In-person • Erica Perez (District 4) In-person • Justin Canelas (District 6) In-person Environmental Management Commission Meeting Minutes of March 25, 2026 Page 2 of 5 Vacancies: • District 2 • District 5 • District 7 • District 8 II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR January 28, 2026 The Environmental Management Commission (“EMC”) will consider approval of the minutes from its meeting held on January 28, 2026, at the next meeting. III. PUBLIC STATEMENTS ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 1:01] There were no public statements provided at this time. IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS The EMC will discuss this agenda item at the next meeting. 1. The Environmental Management Commission (“EMC”) will discuss the Department of Environmental Management’s (“DEM”) 12-month road map for implementation of Bill 83 outlining funding, draft rule changes, small business impact assessment, and coordinated review by the EMC. Bill 83 was passed by Hawaii County Council to reduce disposable plastic or polystyrene food ware and service ware. 2. EMC will discuss DEM’s priority projects included in the Mayor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Capital Improvements Program (“CIP”) budget. 3. EMC will discuss DEM’s annual report to the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”). 4. DEM will provide a project update on the Integrated Wastewater Management Plan, including consultant extensions and updates to contract deliverables and timeline. V. UPDATES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (DEM) 1. Solid Waste Division Updates: a. Update regarding the Household Hazardous Waste Events that were held in Hilo on February 7; in Kona on February 14; in Waimea on March 7; and Pahoa on March 8, 2026. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 3:19] Environmental Management Commission Meeting Minutes of March 25, 2026 Page 3 of 5 Mr. Rivera reported that four household hazardous waste events were conducted. On February 7, 2026, in Hilo, 797 vehicles were processed, and over 3,500 gallons of used motor oil were collected. On February 14, 2026, in Kona, 497 vehicles were processed, and nearly 1,000 gallons of used motor oil were collected. On March 7, 2026, in Waimea, 295 vehicles were processed, and 813 gallons of used motor oil were collected. On March 8, 2026, in Pahoa, 330 vehicles were processed, and 1,700 gallons of used motor oil were collected. b. Update on Laupāhoehoe, Honomū, and Pāhala transfer stations. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 4:57] Mr. Rivera reported that the Laupāhoehoe Transfer Station renovation and upgrade had been completed, and that the Mayor, along with Council Member Kimball, had blessed the facility on March 4, 2026. Mr. Rivera noted that the facility would be used as the basis for future upgrades to transfer stations around the island. The Honomū transfer station returned to normal operating days of Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. The Pāhala transfer station was expected to undergo emergency repairs due to a sinkhole near the chute area, which was anticipated to occur in mid-April. At that time, the area was cordoned off, and residents were required to walk their trash to the chute for disposal. During the remediation, Tuesday operations would be closed, and Saturday operations would be open; the work was expected to take four days. Following completion, normal operations would resume. c. Update on Waste Characterization Study at the Pu'uanahulu Landfill. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 6:25] Mr. Rivera reported that at Puʻuanahulu Landfill, a Waste Characterization Study had been conducted by the Department of Health (“DOH”) and a consultant during the week of March 9–13. The team had sorted six county and commercial trash loads per day and categorized the materials by waste type. The initial effort had been cut short due to the first Kona Low event. A second study is scheduled to be conducted in May; once completed, all data would be compiled, and a report would be provided to the County outlining the results of the waste composition entering the landfill. Environmental Management Commission Meeting Minutes of March 25, 2026 Page 4 of 5 d. Update on Abandoned Vehicle Staffing. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 7:16] Mr. Rivera noted that Ms. Tiffany Wallace would lead the Abandoned Vehicles (“AV”) Division as the specialist, and Ms. Justyne Rafael would become the AV Coordinator on the Hilo side. He added that an AV clerk position for the Kona side was still vacant. Mr. Rivera stated that both Ms. Wallace and Ms. Rafael brought a wealth of experience and knowledge and would contribute to building a successful team. 2. Wastewater Division Updates: [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 10:10] Mr. Christopher Laude introduced two new employees: Mr. Patrick Cummins, Program Manager, and Mr. Matthew Jaroslawski, Civil Engineer V. a. Update regarding the Pāhala Wastewater Treatment Plant (“WWTP”) project and expected connection fees to homeowners. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 13:09] Mr. Laude provided an update on the Pāhala WWTP, noting that the notice to proceed had been issued on March 16. A pre-construction meeting was held on March 17 with the contractor. Staff were currently in the process of evaluating how many additional users could be connected and what the associated costs might be. A groundbreaking ceremony date had not yet been scheduled but was expected to occur in the near future. There had been questions regarding whether additional properties could connect to the collection system, and staff continued to evaluate the potential costs associated with such connections, with a report to be provided at a later date. Director Girvan added that the County recognized there was a history with the community and that it was important to first understand that history before developing a full plan. He further noted that a cost breakdown was not yet available and that staff were currently investigating costs for newly accessible properties. Chair Perez requested that this agenda item be brought back for discussion at the next meeting. VI. NEW BUSINESS The EMC will discuss this agenda item at the next meeting. Environmental Management Commission Meeting Minutes of March 25, 2026 Page 5 of 5 1. Christopher Dipnarine from 4mycity in Baltimore will present on running a large scale commercial in-vessel composting unit in Baltimore – how it works, costs, maintenance, and details about his community food waste diversion program utilizing one of these machines. 2. EMC discussion on in-vessel composting and potential recommendations on next steps for further investigation or development. VII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 1. Commissioners and members of the public may email items for consideration on the next agenda to Chair Perez by Friday, April 3, 2026. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 21:55] VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS 1. The EMC has Commissioner vacancies for Districts 2, 5, 7, and 8. 2. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Community Meeting Hale (Building G). Please contact the Board Secretary or review the agenda posted on the County Calendar within six days of the next meeting for confirmation. [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 22:07] 3. See current schedule for EMC for 2026. IX. ADJOURNMENT [SEE YOUTUBE TIMESTAMP 22:35] The meeting was adjourned at 9:41 a.m. Respectfully Submitted, Ashley DeVera, Secretary