The city has begun special refuse collections for areas most heavily affected by the recent storms, including Wai'anae, La'ie, Waimanalo, Waikalani Valley and the North Shore.

When the rainstorms flooded homes and toppled trees and plants, they also generated tons of waste. Much of it has been placed curbside and Mayor Mufi Hannemann announced yesterday that the city will assign extra workers to remove the debris from areas that were hardest hit.

"Tons of storm damage debris will be collected from both public facilities and private residences," Hannemann said.

Hannemann said the city will conduct additional automated and manual refuse collections in Wai'anae, La'ie, Waimanalo, Waikalani Valley and the North Shore.

North Shore resident Mike Lyons said the announcement is good news and a good decision by the mayor.

"It will help alleviate a health hazard," Lyons said. "Already things are deteriorating and getting smelly."

On the North Shore, most of the storm debris is green waste but there is building debris as well, he said.

"The green waste is a concern because it rots, it attracts undesirable rodents and it smells," Lyons said. "I'm glad he decided to go ahead with that. A lot of people will be very happy."

Waste should be place on the curb where residents normally place their refuse bins. Items should be separated into four categories: green waste, white goods, household hazardous waste, construction and demolition debris and regular trash, which should go into the gray bin.

Residents who want to haul their own trash, should take it to the city's refuse centers, which are open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. The limit is two pickup truck loads per day.

Residents can also take debris to city transfer stations.