Honolulu City Council discusses new landfill siting following legislative restrictions

The Honolulu City Council convened on May 28, 2025, to discuss critical issues surrounding housing sustainability, the economy, and health, with a significant focus on landfill management and waste disposal strategies.

The meeting began with a review of the current landfill situation, particularly the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill. The council noted that the Land Use Commission had previously extended the landfill's operating permit until 2028, contingent upon the identification of a new landfill site by January 2022. However, the city has faced challenges in selecting a suitable location due to new legislative restrictions and the need for environmental assessments.

In 2020, the state enacted Act 73, which established a half-mile buffer zone around waste facilities, prohibiting their placement near residential areas, schools, and hospitals, as well as on conservation lands. This legislation has complicated the search for new landfill sites, as the city must now navigate these additional constraints.

The Landfill Advisory Committee, formed in 2021, conducted extensive evaluations of potential sites but ultimately recommended against the options considered. They suggested seeking an extension from the Land Use Commission and exploring military lands that had not been previously assessed. The commission granted a two-year extension, pushing the deadline for site selection to December 2024.

During the meeting, it was revealed that the city had identified a new site northeast of Wahiawa on Department of Land and Natural Resources land. However, the Navy denied requests to consider the Waipio Peninsula site, further limiting options. Recent legislation, House Bill 969, prohibits landfills on Class A agricultural lands and within the Department of Health's underground injection control line, effective July 1, 2025. This law applies only to Oahu, leaving other islands unaffected.

The council discussed the implications of these restrictions, noting that only 15% of land remains outside the underground injection control line, which closely follows the coastline. The meeting emphasized the need for the city administration to determine next steps in light of these developments.

Additionally, the council reviewed landfill protective measures mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency, including stringent requirements for liners, leachate collection systems, and groundwater monitoring. The Waimanalo Gulch Landfill has maintained compliance, with no detected leachate issues since 1989.

As the meeting concluded, the council acknowledged the pressing need to address waste management challenges while balancing environmental sustainability and community health. The discussions underscored the importance of strategic planning in the face of evolving regulations and community needs.