Neighborhood board and city departments back task force on landfill harms; Council to allow up to two members

The Committee on International Legal Affairs heard emotional testimony supporting Resolution 26‑7 and moved the measure, as amended, out of committee for adoption.

Anthony Makana Paris, speaking for the Makakilo‑Kapolei‑Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board, told the committee he grew up “beneath…a mountain” and described “dust, ash, foul smell” and long‑running respiratory and economic harms in West Oʻahu that he linked to nearby landfill operations. He said residents have “long called for compensation, stronger diversion and local green jobs” and urged the council to craft a task force that quantifies harm and plans a just transition.

Roger Babcock, identified as director of the Department of Environmental Services, told the committee the department would support the resolution and participate in the task force.

Councilmember Kia'āina proposed changing the posted CD1 so the City Council could appoint up to two members to the task force rather than limiting representation to the council chair or the chair’s designee. Councilmember Cordero and the author supported the change, noting legal limits on the number of council members who may sit together under Sunshine Law but expressing the view that two members would allow broader Council participation.

Chair Waters, the author of the CD1, said she removed portions of previously proposed state-origin language so the local task force would work from a locally tailored approach and to avoid being constrained by a state draft that did not pass. After a brief recess, Chair Nishimoto recommended amending Resolution 26‑7 to the posted CD1 and incorporating language allowing up to two councilmembers; with no objections the committee reported the resolution out for adoption.

The committee did not take a roll‑call vote on the amendment; the chair noted there were no objections and the item was reported out by unanimous consent. The report out moves the measure to the next legislative step on the Council’s calendar.