Council halts proposal on trash pick-up hours

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser City Hall Writer

A proposal to end early-morning garbage pick-up has run into some roadblocks at the City Council this week.

Councilman Duke Bainum proposed the bill to ban city crews and private garbage collection companies on O'ahu from picking up trash before 6 a.m. But the council's Public Works and Economic Development Committee this week postponed any action on the measure.

Bainum said that residents complain about the early-morning noise from garbage collection, especially in high-rise neighborhoods where the sound bounces between buildings.

Union leader Gary Rodrigues submitted written testimony opposing the bill. He said the city can't make the change in hours since the hours of work for refuse collection is a matter negotiated at the bargaining table.

Rodrigues is state director of the United Public Workers, which represents city refuse workers.

He wrote, "Bainum shouldn't waste our time and the public's time in hearing these illegal measures unless the City Council intends to deliberately violate the law."