UPDATE: HĀWĪ TRANSFER STATION NOW REOPEN 

The County of Hawai‘i Department of Environmental Management has reopened the Hāwī Transfer Station for regular service hours today, September 27, 2024, one day earlier than originally anticipated. This follows the successful containment and cleanup of hazardous material that was improperly discarded at the site.

The station has been closed since September 22 after an unidentified liquid was dumped into a chute. Initial reports suggested the substance was transformer oil, but further analysis confirmed it was nitric acid. This hazardous material required careful handling to ensure the safety of the community and environment. The State Department of Health has been a key partner throughout the process, assisting with the investigation and ensuring all safety protocols were properly followed. A continued investigation into circumstances surrounding the improper disposal of the hazardous material is pending further review.

With the reopening, Transfer Station staff anticipate an increase in trash volume due to the extended closure. We ask for the community’s patience as operations resume.