Senator opposes waste disposal facilities bill, says Waianae residents treated as 'dumping ground'

A Hawaii senator on Wednesday voiced strong opposition to legislation to govern waste disposal facilities, saying the bill—while protective of aquifers—would perpetuate harm to Waianae by keeping the current landfill operational in her district.

Senator DeCoite said the bill "is solid when it comes to protecting our aquifer," but added, "I gotta advocate for the residents of Waianae and firmly oppose this bill as it would keep the current landfill operational in my district." She told colleagues the community has for years been treated like "the dumping ground of Hawaii" and urged the Legislature to seek alternatives that respect both water resources and residents.

Nut graf: DeCoite acknowledged the bill's environmental protections but said the local impacts—landfill visibility, health and community pride—were not addressed, and she urged lawmakers to find solutions that do not disproportionately burden Waianae residents.

During floor remarks, DeCoite said Waianae has the state's largest Native Hawaiian homestead population and that continuing to site landfill operations there is a matter of justice. She called for "the hard conversation of where our trash is gonna end up eventually" and said she supports the bill’s intent on water protection but cannot support the measure as written because of its local effects.

The clerk recorded the bill as passing on third reading with a recorded vote of 24 ayes and 1 no. DeCoite’s remarks were entered into the floor record prior to the roll call.

Ending: The bill now moves on after third reading; DeCoite’s objections were recorded as reservations in the session minutes, and she urged follow-up discussion on landfill siting and community impacts.