Honolulu City Council Passes Resolution Urging The Administration To Establish A Kapa‘a Quarry Transfer Station Reusable Material Collection Site Pilot Project
*Updated: August 10, 2023
HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI - The Honolulu City Council passed Resolution 23-168 on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, urging the establishment of a Kapa‘a Quarry Transfer Station reusable material collection site pilot project. This initiative aligns with the Council’s dedication to sustainable waste management and the well-being of our island community
Oʻahu generates approximately 1.7 million tons of solid waste annually. Recognizing this, the proposed pilot project aims to alleviate some of Oʻahu’s pressing solid waste problems by collecting and redistributing recovered materials and household items.
The benefits of the project include:
Eligibility for income tax deductions for donors of materials
Community members can shop for recovered materials at affordable rates
Diverting and reusing household and building materials, reducing strain on Oʻahu’s waste management system
Promoting a circular economy by relieving demand for newly produced, imported material
“The Council added $90,000 to the budget for this project, and I am proud to stand behind Resolution 23-168, a significant step towards reducing our environmental footprint and fostering a thriving, sustainable community. This pilot project not only reflects our commitment to environmental stewardship but also fosters community engagement and economic growth. By encouraging the reuse of materials and important data collection through the pilot, we are taking a proactive approach to reduce waste and promote a circular economy,” said Council Chair Tommy Waters, who introduced the resolution.
“Oʻahu's strength lies in our ability to adapt, innovate, and come together for the greater good. As stewards of Oʻahu, it's our kuleana to ensure that our actions today pave the way for a greener tomorrow. The Kapaʻa Quarry Transfer Station pilot project is a shining example of this spirit in action. By reimagining waste as a resource, we're not only addressing immediate challenges but also laying the foundation for a sustainable and thriving community," expressed Council Vice Chair Esther Kiaʻāina
Re-use Hawaii, an organization committed to reducing waste for Hawaiʻi, proposed the pilot project of at least three months to collect recovered materials and household items from the City’s Kapaa Quarry Transfer Station facility and redistribute those recovered materials and items at its Kakaʻako location. “Re-use Hawaiʻi strongly supports the proposed pilot program at the Kapa‘a Quarry Transfer Station to collect and redistribute reusable construction materials and household items,” said Quinn Vittum, Executive Director of Re-use Hawaiʻi.
“Diverting material from transfer stations is a proven method of reducing waste and cultivating a circular economy for our community. We strongly support this initiative and look forward to being a resource for the execution of the program,” continued Vittum.
Council Chair Waters represents City Council District 4, which includes Hawai‘i Kai, Kuli‘ou‘ou, Niu Valley, ‘Āina Haina, Wailupe, Wai‘alae Iki, Kalani Valley, Kāhala, Wilhelmina Rise, Kaimukī, Kapahulu, Diamond Head, and Waikīkī.
Council Vice Chair Kiaʻāina represents City Council District 3, which includes ʻĀhuimanu, Heʻeia, Haʻikū, Kāneʻohe, Maunawili, Kailua, Olomana, Enchanted Lake and Waimānalo.
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