March 1961

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May 1961

Calendar of Events Events of the Year National Agenda - Annual Report Voters Service - Annual Report (Blanche W. Smith) Unit Organization - Annual Report (Jeannine McCullagh) Membership Committee - Annual Report (Laura A. Draper, Jeanine McCullagh & Opal Sloane) Publications - Annual Report (Grace Yokoi) 1960-61 Local Agenda Item - Annual Report (Liesel Philipp) LWV-Honolulu - Income and Expenditures - 1960-61 (Margaret S. Wright)

The 1960-61 Local Agenda Item - Annual Report "Study of Waste Disposal and Recommendations for the most Effective and economical methods to be used by the City and County of Honolulu." In three unit meetings the committee tried to inform members on refuse disposal methods and Honolulu's special refuse problems. Members also visited the composting plant at the Oahu State prison. The committee tried to help the city by making a survey among the 20 largest private and government landholders inquiring about the availability of suitable land for sanitary landfill operations. A summary of encouraging answers was made available to city officials concerned with refuse. However it appears that they have not followed up our survey with any serious investigation. In March, 1961, the Honolulu League sent conclusions and recommendations in the area of refuse disposal to the Mayor and City Council, as well as to all other officials concerned with refuse disposal problems. Our conclusions and recommendations to the City of Honolulu are as follows: Composting: It is recommended that the city observe closely the operation of pilot plants in various areas of the United States. Norman, Oklahoma, has a highly mechanized type, developed by the Lockheed Aircraft Co., and operated by a private firm. It has a 35-ton capacity, (100 tons per day is considered to be the minimum economic unit). Lockheed type plants are also planned for Miami, Florida, and Burbank, California. When figures indicate that operational costs are approximately those of incineration, or less, we recommend a 100-ton plant for Honolulu. Until such time, we recommend that the city furnish Mr. Eriksson of Oahu Prison with municipal garbage for composting; that sewage sludge be made available to him and that the University of Hawaii be requested to analyze the chemical content of the compost produced with and without added sludge, and conduct controlled plot experiments on various plants and soils. Sanitary Landfill: We strongly recommend that sanitary fill be used, wherever feasible, in areas to be developed for recreational and agricultural purposes, including submerged reef areas, swamps, gullies, etc. The Public Works Department is urged to consult and cooperate with all government agencies concerned, (as, for example, the City and State Planning Departments, the State Transportation Department, Traffic Department, Land Commission, etc.) and also private landholders, well in advance of development of such areas. Incineration: A third incinerator is needed at present to handle the balance of refuse produced in excess of capacity of the two incinerators now in use. (The city now produces 500-600 tons of refuse per day--the two incinerators we now have handle approximately 200 tons each when in good working order.) Before considering a fourth incinerator, we recommend a thorough investigation of the advisability of the use of the two other methods discussed above--Sanitary Landfill, and Composting. As a densely populated island community it is important for Honolulu to conserve its available resources. Sanitary landfill will develop more valuable land. The composting of refuse converts waste into a useful soil conditioner. We will follow developments in the area of refuse disposal probably under a "Continuing Responsibility" item. At present the League is supporting legislation sponsored by the Department of Health to define the government agency responsible for the cleaning of beaches from seaweed and debris and to provide funds for the work. Members of our committee were Helen Fine, Julia Tuscho, Ruth Myers, Lilian Fortess, Peggy Gressit. Liesel Philipp Chairman

March 1961

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May 1961