More time to find new dump site sought

By Johnny Brannon
Advertiser Staff Writer

The City Council voted yesterday to seek more time to struggle with the politically volatile question of where O'ahu's garbage should go. But there's no guarantee a June 1 deadline for selecting a new dump site will be extended.

Mayor Jeremy Harris says he won't support the council's request that the state Land Use Commission grant an extra six months to ponder the issue, but added that he won't stand in the council's way.

"We will allow the council to present its case, but at the same time we will present our strong recommendation not to extend the time," Harris said.

The city won approval last year to expand the Waimanalo Gulch landfill, but agreed that the council would select a new dump site by June so the landfill could close in 2008.

Seven of the nine council members said more time is needed to review potential sites, and to consider other ways to handle trash.

Councilman Mike Gabbard said the city should consider shipping rubbish to the Mainland.

"This is a very viable option that we should not close the door on," he said. "It is not pie in the sky."

Gabbard said he had visited a landfill in rural Washington where four Alaska cities send their trash, and was very impressed with the operation.

"We need to look at all of these options, and I don't think we can do it before June 1," he said.

But councilmen Nestor Garcia and Charles Djou said it's good to explore alternatives, but that a landfill will almost certainly be needed somewhere on O'ahu, and that it makes no sense to delay picking a site.

"I want a decision by this council about what to do," Garcia said. "That's our charge. That's why people elect us."

Councilwoman Barbara Marshall said the matter is important enough to deserve more time.

"I don't think we are shirking our responsibility," she said. "Quite the contrary, I think we are accepting our responsibility of making a good and thoughtful decision on a very, very important issue."

Reach Johnny Brannon at 525-8070 or at jbrannon@honoluluadvertiser.com.