Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste recently appointed 17 community members to the county’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC), he said in a press release. “I’ve selected people who make up a diverse and balanced advisory team. Their goal is to assist
Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste recently appointed 17 community members to the county’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC), he said in a press release.
“I’ve selected people who make up a diverse and balanced advisory team. Their goal is to assist us with developing a sustainable, affordable plan to deal with Kaua‘i’s solid waste,” said Baptiste.
The SWAC members will work with county officials and representatives of R.W. Beck, Inc., the nationally known engineering and waste-management consulting firm hired to update Kaua‘i’s Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan.
Committee members include: business representatives: Jeffrey Deren, Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative; Larry Dill, Princeville Operating Co.; Michael Furukawa, Grove Farm Properties; Ron Kouchi, Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce; and Diane Zachary, Kaua‘i Planning and Action Alliance, Inc.;
Environmental-organization representatives: William “Bill” Cowern, Kauai County Farm Bureau; and Rhoda Libre, Kauai Westside Watershed Council;
General public: Jean Camp, Anahola resident; Jeffrey Kaohi, Kekaha resident; James Trujillo, Kapa‘a resident; and Kathleen West-Hurd, Hanapepe resident;
Government representatives: Lane Otsu, state Department of Health, Solid Waste Management; Keith Nitta, County of Kaua‘i Planning Department; and Glenn Sato, County of Kaua‘i Office of Economic Development;
Waste-management representatives: Steven Kaui, Garden Isle Disposal; Ray Maki, Permaculture Kauai; and Peter Manos, Kauai Community Recycling Services.
In January, public-information meetings were held, and Kaua‘i residents offered comments on the island’s current solid-waste system, as well as suggestions for the county’s future solid-waste-management plans.
Karen Luken, with R.W. Beck, said she was impressed with the response from Kaua‘i residents, and added that her company leaders will take into consideration what was shared during the meetings before formulating a solid-waste-management plan for the island.
According to Luken, R.W. Beck representatives recently met with county officials to discuss the county’s current solid-waste infrastructure, and have already begun an assessment of the county’s diversion and recycling programs, transfer stations, and the Kekaha Landfill.
“We are looking for a program that’s sustainable and diverts as much as possible,” Luken said.
“Ultimately, no matter how much waste is recycled, some percentage will need to be disposed in some manner. The R.W. Beck team will research the best, cost-effective alternatives for Kaua‘i,” she concluded.
