Renovations to refuse transfer stations to begin starting with Līhu‘e location

Work to improve aging refuse transfer stations on Kaua‘i has begun, starting with the station in Līhu‘e.

On Monday, Kaua‘i County officials held a blessing and groundbreaking ceremony for the Līhu‘e Refuse Transfer Station. The work is part of the Island-wide Refuse Transfer Station Improvements project, which also targets stations in Hanalei, Kapa‘a and Hanapēpē.

The project will also address water quality standards and stormwater discharges. The budget for Phase 1 is marked at $15.9 million. The total cost for all four stations is estimated at $38.2 million.

The Līhu‘e Refuse Transfer Station will be closed for renovations from Sept. 11 to Nov. 2.

During the ceremony, Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami said the most important aspect of the project is the people behind it: solid waste workers, contractors and customers.

“This project is an example of good government spending, showing our people that we are reinvesting their hardworking money into improving and upgrading their facilities,” the mayor said.

While the transfer station is closed, all trash, green waste, tires, motor oil, and propane tanks can be taken to the Kapa‘a refuse transfer station at 5051 Kahi Rd., or the Hanapēpē refuse transfer station at 4380 Lele Rd.

Large bulky items such as furniture over 3 feet long or mattresses must be taken to the Kekaha Landfill. Scrap metal, appliances, and eWaste can be brought directly to Puhi Metals Recycling Center on Puhi Road.

During the closure, the adjacent Kaua‘i Resource Center will remain open to accept household batteries, fluorescent lights, and packaging material, and to distribute backyard composting bins. Reynolds Recycling will continue to operate the HI5 Redemption Center Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed for lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m.

The Kapa‘a refuse transfer station will be the next facility on the project list and is anticipated to be closed from November 2024 to July 2025. All operations at the Kapa‘a refuse transfer station will be closed except for green waste.

Updates will be provided for future closures of other refuse transfer stations. For information, call 808-241-4841 or visit www.kauai.gov/recycling.