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House adopts measure supporters say would limit new landfill siting in parts of Kailua
Summary
In a voice vote, the Hawaii House adopted a measure members said would prevent additional landfill sites in parts of Kailua and other areas of District 50. Lawmakers debated local impacts and the city'county'level role in landfill siting before the vote.
The Hawaii House of Representatives adopted a measure in a voice vote that supporters said would prevent siting additional landfills in parts of Kailua and other areas of District 50.
Supporters said the measure responds to community concern that recent landfill siting proposals have disproportionately affected particular neighborhoods. "There have been 6 landfill sites in Kailua over the last 70 years," Representative Gene Lee said during floor debate, adding that "100% of my constituency" supports the bill's protections. Representative Martin said the proposal aligns with local restoration efforts, saying the community is "really striving to restore our ahupua'a from Mauka to Makai."
Opponents said the bill could unduly restrict the City and County's ability to consider sites when municipal waste needs change. "We're then trying to codify each and every group and organization or environmental issue ... to the point that we're not giving the city any latitude to make any decisions," Representative Rayozoda said, describing why she opposed the measure. Representative Moraoka urged passage, saying Waimanalo Gulch is at capacity and that the state must avoid placing new burdens on communities already hosting landfills.
The transcript does not include a bill number or the exact motion text tied to the floor debate. Legislators took a voice vote on the measure; the clerk recorded the outcome as "The motion is carried." The record does not show a roll-call tally for that item.
The landfill-related debate occurred while the House considered a broader slate of standing committee reports. Earlier in the session Representative Todd moved to adopt standing committee reports numbers 255 through 311 and to pass the accompanying house bills on second reading and refer them to their designated committees; Representative Morikawa seconded that motion. Later in the day Representative Todd moved to adopt standing committee report number 312 and to recommit House Bill 92, as amended, to the Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems; Representative Morikawa seconded and the motion carried.
The House convened with 47 members present and four excused, and adjourned to reconvene at 12:00 noon the following day.
