Hawaii House Bill HR45

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/5/25
• Refer: 3/14/25

Caption

Urging The City And County Of Honolulu To Take Immediate Action To Address Illegal Dumping In Ewa Beach.

Impact

The resolution suggests the adoption of new programs inspired by successful initiatives from other cities such as Sacramento and Houston. For example, a bulk item pickup program in Sacramento was found to be economically advantageous compared to traditional cleanup methods. The proposal encourages the City and County of Honolulu to explore increasing access to disposal sites in high-incident areas, thereby enhancing waste management efforts. Furthermore, the resolution advocates for weekly bulk item pickups in areas with recurrent violations to ensure better accessibility for residents.

Summary

House Resolution 45, introduced in the Thirty-third Legislature of Hawaii, urges the City and County of Honolulu to take immediate action against illegal dumping in Ewa Beach. The resolution highlights the severity of illegal dumping as a significant health hazard and an environmental menace that tarnishes the scenic beauty of the West Oahu region. Current measures implemented by the City and County of Honolulu, like reporting mechanisms and scheduled bulk item pickups, have proven inadequate to effectively combat the problem. The resolution calls for a notable shift in strategy, encouraging robust and innovative measures to tackle illegal dumping.

Contention

A key point of contention revolves around the efficacy of existing programs versus the proposed measures. Legislators and community advocates may debate whether increasing operational resources and broadening access to disposal methods will substantially reduce illegal dumping incidents. The resolution's call for pilot programs includes monitoring and using measurable metrics to assess effectiveness, framed as a response to the ongoing crisis in Ewa Beach. By focusing on proactive measures and effective monitoring, the resolution seeks to ensure that the efforts to combat illegal dumping are both efficient and sustainable.