UPDATE: HĀWĪ TRANSFER STATION REOPENING SATURDAY FOLLOWING HAZARDOUS WASTE INCIDENT
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UPDATE: HĀWĪ TRANSFER STATION REOPENING SATURDAY FOLLOWING HAZARDOUS WASTE INCIDENT
The County of Hawai‘i Department of Environmental Management will reopen the Hāwī Transfer Station for regular service hours on Saturday, September 28, 2024, following the successful containment and cleanup of hazardous material improperly discarded at the site. The extended closure is due to transformer oil contaminating other trash inside the bin, which requires additional time and resources for proper disposal. At this time, it is unknown who improperly disposed of the oil.
The station has been closed since September 22 after an unidentified liquid, later confirmed to be transformer oil, was dumped into a chute, prompting immediate action by the Hawai‘i Fire Department, State Department of Health, and our Solid Waste crews. This incident continues to disrupt services for the entire community, underscoring the importance of safely handling hazardous materials. Improper disposal of substances like transformer oil threatens public health, strains emergency resources, and damages our island environment.
The Department of Environmental Management offers free Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events, with the next event scheduled for December 7 and 14, 2024. However, we urge residents to safely dispose of items like oil, chemicals, batteries, and other dangerous materials as soon as possible. Visit the County’s website or contact the Department of Environmental Management for a list of hazardous waste disposal locations.
hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/household-hazardous-waste/
Phone: (808) 961-8270 | Email: SWD@hawaiicounty.gov
We thank the Hawaiʻi Fire Department, the State Department of Health, and the Solid Waste Division for their quick response and continued dedication to protecting our environment and ensuring the wise management of solid waste.
