O'ahu briefs

Advertiser Staff

LEEWARD

Landfill review extended

Yesterday was supposed to have been the final day for public comment on the city's proposal to expand the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill in Kahe Valley by 60.5 acres and continue to use the site for O'ahu's rubbish until the year 2017.

However, the public comment deadline has been extended for a fifth time.

"We've extended the community comment and review period," city spokeswoman Carol Costa said. "We'll continue to look at alternative technologies for the destruction of municipal solid waste. The process is ongoing. This will give the community more time to provide comment, if they haven't already."

Costa said the review period will continue for two more months, through Jan. 20.

Neighborhood boards and many residents in the area oppose the landfill expansion.

The landfill is expected to reach capacity next year.

CENTRAL

Play equipment dedication set

Waikele Elementary School today will dedicate new playground equipment paid for by money raised by the school community.

New physical fitness sets will also be dedicated during the 8:45 a.m. ceremony.

School vice principal Dale Castro said the $46,000 needed for the equipment was raised by parents and staff, including the PTA, and students and community leaders.

"They've been doing it through fund-raising the last 3 1/2 years," Castro said. "This is really the students' equipment because it was a grassroots effort."

The playground equipment is designed for students ages 5 to 12. Waikele Elementary, which opened in 1998, has 805 students.