HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-06-13 SWAC Meeting Minutes
SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI
MINUTES OF LIMITED MEETING AND SITE VISITS
June 13, 2018
12:15 p.m. to 4:12 p.m.
Committee members present:
George Hayducsko, Chair
Alan Okinaka, Vice Chair
Georjean Adams
Steven Araujo
Barbara Bell
Robert Ely
Adam Schaarf
Staff and others present:
Joseph Kamelamela, Corporation Counsel
Keyra Wong, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Gregory Goodale, Solid Waste Division Chief
Mary Fujio, Assistant
Kiana Suganuma, Student Intern
Dwight Miller, of Parametrix, Inc.
Neal Fukumoto of Wesley R. Segawa & Associates
12:15 p.m.: Chair Hayducsko called the meeting to order and announced all who were
present. He stated that after they finished lunch, everyone was to meet outside at the van which
had been arranged to provide transport.
Mr. Goodale added that safety vests would be provided to everyone where necessary.
12:28 p.m.: The group departed the Department of Environmental Management at 345
Kekūanāoʻa Street, Suite 41, Hilo, in a County of Hawaiʻi van.
EAST HAWAIʻI SANITARY LANDFILL:
Arrival time: 12:40 p.m.
Mr. Goodale drove to the top of the landfill, where everyone got out. He explained they
were standing on the last section of the landfill, which would be closing late this year or early
next year. He spoke about what the workers were doing and how the rubbish was compacted,
drained, and covered after work each day. Once the landfill closes, it will be covered with a top
similar to Astroturf. The DOT will not allow the County to expand the landfill in Hilo because
of how it attracts birds, which are a problem at the nearby airport. Also, it will be cheaper to
truck the rubbish to West Hawaiʻi than to build a new landfill.
EAST HAWAIʻI REGIONAL SORT STATION:
Arrival time: 1:13 p.m.
The sort station is a large metal building in which some the rubbish from the transfer
stations is dumped. When time permits, staff will sort OCC, metal, and other recyclable material
out of the trash. The remaining trash is picked up by a loader and placed into a trailer for
transportation to the West Hawaiʻi Sanitary Landfill.
EAST HAWAIʻI ORGANICS FACILITY:
Arrival time: 1:30 p.m.
Greenwaste is dropped off at this facility. The material is loaded into a machine which
grinds it up into small pieces. The material is then laid out in windrows until it reaches a high
enough temperature (130°) to kill invasive species. It is called enhanced mulch. Pallets are only
accepted if they are made of untreated wood. There is no charge to drop off residential
greenwaste. It costs $60,000 to $80,000 per month to operate the facility.
HILO RECYCLING AND TRANSFER STATION:
Arrival time: 1:42 p.m.
Mr. Goodale explained that the building in the front of the group is the HI-5 Redemption
Center, across is the Reuse Center, and behind is the 2-bin system.
The group departed the East Hawaiʻi facilities at about 1:45 p.m. and drove back to Hilo,
where Mr. Kamelamela was dropped off at his office at 1:55 p.m. Keyra Wong replaced Mr.
Kamelamela in the group.
PĀHOA RECYCLING AND TRANSFER STATION:
Arrival time: 2:30 p.m.
Everyone looked at the Thrift Store as well as the various recycling bins, trash chutes,
and the greenwaste area. Mr. Goodale said the asphalt paving included recycled glass, and they
were trying to incorporate some reusable product landscaping at the facility.
KEAʻAU RECYCLING AND TRANSFER STATION:
Arrival time: 3:22 p.m.
Everyone looked at the Thrift Store (two large tented structures), and viewed the various
recycling bins.
At 3:53 p.m., the van headed back to the Department of Environmental Management. En
route, Chair Hayducsko said that for next month’s field trip, the plan was to meet at the office
again, and Ms. Adams and Ms. Bell would be picked up at the Waimea landfill, which is closer
to where they lived. More detailed information would be provided as the date approached. Ms.
Bell reminded everyone they were invited to her home for refreshments afterwards.
Motion and vote: Ms. Adams moved to adjourn, Ms. Bell seconded the motion, and all
members voted aye.
The meeting adjourned at 4:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Mary E. Fujio, Assistant