Kapa‘a transfer station to be closed nearly 1 year beginning in early November

The Kapa‘a refuse transfer station will be closed for nearly a year starting in early November to undergo renovations.

Kaua‘i County shared the announcement from Solid Waste officials Thursday morning on its Facebook page, and by just before 6 p.m. it had drawn 60 comments and replies from the community and nearly 50 reactions, several of them angry.

People were, at best, concerned about the length of the facility’s impending closure. Many were critical.

The Kapa‘a transfer station is scheduled to close Nov. 2 and remain shuttered through Aug. 2, 2025.

The renovations are part of the county’s islandwide Refuse Transfer Station Improvements project.

They are aimed at making the facility more efficient and providing environmental safeguards, specifically addressing water quality standards and stormwater discharges.

Other transfer stations that are part of the project are those in Hanalei, Kapa‘a, Līhu‘e and Hanapēpē.

Closure signs are already posted at the Kapa‘a transfer station to alert the public of the upcoming closure.

Green waste services at the facility will remain open.

All rubbish, tires, motor oil and propane tanks can be taken to the Līhu‘e transfer station, located at 3450 Ahukini Road, or the Hanalei transfer station, located at 5-3751 Kūhiō Highway, in Princeville while the Kapa‘a site is closed.

Scrap metal and appliances can be taken to the Hanalei station; they are not accepted in Līhu‘e.

Those items also can be delivered directly to Puhi Metals Recycling Center on Puhi Road, which also accepts eWaste for recycling.

“This is a super long time for it to be closed,” commented Kristen Kimball on the county’s post about the planned closure of the Kapa‘a transfer station.

Sophia Lehua Levesque agreed, adding “woah that’s a long closure,” and Vince Tylor questioned “for 10 months? Closed for 10 months??”

Kapena Cummings said at least the county wasn’t using what many community members have come to see as a common excuse for facility closures — “mechanical issues.”

“Wonder how this plays out,” wrote Cummings. “I really hope some ‘forward thinking’ came into play before this decision was made. Probably not though.”

He also wondered if illegal dumping, which Melissa Patton commented is out of control on the island, would increase or decrease with the Kapa‘a transfer station’s planned nearly yearlong closure.

Others were already making that connection.

“This mean[s] far more dumping on roadsides,” commented Dale Rosenfeld. “Unacceptable!!!”

“Right, enjoy that County of Kaua‘i,” replied Ashley Alapa‘i.

Louise Sausen was more jaded, commenting that the county would simply drive by and criticize the communities for the mess created if more illegal rubbish dumping became the reality.

Clayton Ruprecht Newtonnards IV was defiant, saying the closure wouldn’t be a problem for him. He’ll just leave his trash outside the gate at the Kapa‘a transfer station at night so the county can deal with it the next morning.

“Illegal dumpers may be subject to enforcement action and administrative and civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day for each offense,” the county replied.

“Catch me if you can,” Newtonnards IV goaded.

Cherie Pipkin wasn’t having any of that. Instead, she asked the county to put cameras up at the facility to deter “ungrateful people like this and fine them” during the closure.

“Appreciate all of that work there,” Pipkin thanked the county.

Some offered suggestions to help alleviate the long drive residents anticipate having to make to take their rubbish to other transfer stations while the Kapa‘a facility is closed.

“Should use couple of rolloffs so people can at least get rid of their bagged trash,” suggested Francis Napohaku.

Lynda Antonio asked why bins couldn’t be put outside at the transfer station for rubbish instead of making people be stuck in traffic going somewhere else.

“Come on, engineers,” wrote Antonio, “use your heads.”

“Your suggestion makes too much sense,” replied Mike Martinez. “Maybe the more we let the [Kaua‘i County Council] know how we feel and let them know how we will vote, maybe they will start doing there jobs?”

Louise Sausen said there needs to be islandwide bulk rubbish pickups scheduled, especially in the Waihiha and Hā‘ena areas.

Kim Blackburn wanted to know specifically about mattress disposal.

She said her husband who recently had to drive all the way to Kekaha to get rid of one that belonged to a friend from Kīlauea who died because the transfer stations in Hanalei and Kapa‘a do not accept mattresses and the Līhuʻe station is closed.

“That’s a long trip and a lot of gas for a truck,” wrote Blackburn. “Time and $$ is in short supply for most folks. Not having other options could explain all the mattresses that are dumped on the side of the roadway? Is there another option for mattresses besides Kekaha? Mahalo.”

Others hoped the Līhuʻe transfer station, which has been closed since Sept. 11 as part of the islandwide improvement project, would be open by the time the Kapa‘a facility is closed.

The county did reply that the Līhuʻe facility is scheduld to be open by then. It reported in early September in a release and Facebook post that the transfer station is set to reopen by Nov. 1.

Some were still reluctant to take the county at its word.

“Yes, ‘scheduled’ is the key word,” replied Bill Collins.

For more information about the upcoming renovations at the Kapa‘a transfer station or other rubbish drop-off sites around the island, call 808-241-4841 or click here.