The meetings will also serve as a venue for the city to present new data from studies that analyze Honolulu's solid waste stream and its programs.

All meetings are 7-8:30 p.m. The schedule:

April 9, Mililani Mauka Elementary

April 24, Kaiser High School

April 25, Kahuku High School

May 8, Mission Memorial Auditorium

May 10, Windward CC

May 21, Kapolei Hale

A seventh meeting, geared toward O'ahu's youth, will be held on May 12. Invitations will be extended to high school student leaders. The mayor plans to attend each meeting to personally hear residents' and students' thoughts and ideas.

"Creating a consciousness among our populace -– from our youth to our kupuna –- that we need to work toward developing a sustainable 21st century ahupua'a, is a noteworthy goal for O'ahu," Hannemann said.

"How we manage our island's waste will affect generations to come. It is important to do our homework to develop the most effective, efficient and environmentally sound plan that will produce the highest results in diverting refuse from the landfill.

"It is just as important to consider the bigger picture and ensure that our waste management practices contribute to our island's sustainability."

Hannemann continued: "Now that key research is being completed, we are ready to present various collection scenarios and their costs to the public while asking for constructive input. We must put our heads together and work as a team to do right for Hawai'i. O'ahu is our home. It's our responsibility to step up to do more to preserve our precious 'aina."

Seattle-based management and engineering services consulting company R.W. Beck, which had been contracted by the city to conduct a series of studies on O'ahu's refuse system, will present new data on O'ahu's waste composition, a cost and benefit analysis of various curbside recycling options, and the comparative benefits of recycling and waste-to-energy. 

R.W. Beck has worked with the city to analyze the components of Honolulu's refuse and take look at the effectiveness and efficiency of current and proposed programs.

The city currently provides curbside collection of refuse twice a week, as well as green waste and bulky item collection monthly. Green waste is dropped off at city sites and composting facilities, from which free mulch is made available at sites around O'ahu, and compost is generated for sale at garden centers and elsewhere. White community recycling bins and HI 5 redemption centers are located throughout O'ahu.

City convenience centers, transfer stations and the landfill are open seven days a week. Household hazardous-waste drop-off days are coordinated quarterly.