LIHUE, Hawaii — Kauai County officials held a blessing and groundbreaking ceremony for the Lihue refuse transfer station on Monday, part of an islandwide project to upgrade refuse transfer stations in Hanalei, Kapaa, Lihue and Hanapepe.

What You Need To Know

  • The project aims to improve the island’s aging refuse transfer stations, address water quality standards and stormwater discharges at an estimated cost of $38.2 million

  • The county reminds the public the Lihue RTS will be closed for renovations from Sept. 11 to Nov. 2

  • While the Lihue RTS is closed, the public should take all trash, green waste, tires, motor oil and propane tanks to the Kapaa refuse transfer station located at 5051 Kahi Road or the Hanapepe refuse transfer station at 4380 Lele Road

The project aims to improve the island’s aging refuse transfer stations, address water quality standards and stormwater discharges at an estimated cost of $38.2 million. Phase 1 starts with the Lihue RTS that will cost $15.9 million.

“The most important aspect of this project is the people behind it — our solid waste workers, contractors, and our customers who use this refuse transfer station,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami in a news release. “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 county reminds the public the Lihue RTS will be closed for renovations from Sept. 11 to Nov. 2.

“These renovations will allow our refuse transfer station to operate more efficiently while providing environmental safeguards,” said Department of Public Works Engineer Troy Tanigawa in a separate release. “We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate the community’s understanding.”

While the Lihue RTS is closed, the public should take all trash, green waste, tires, motor oil and propane tanks to the Kapaa refuse transfer station located at 5051 Kahi Road or the Hanapepe refuse transfer station at 4380 Lele Road.

Large bulky items such as furniture over 3 feet long or mattresses must be taken to the Kekaha Landfill.

Scrap metal, appliances and e-waste can be taken to Puhi Metals Recycling Center on Puhi Road.

Throughout the closure, the adjacent Kauai Resource Center will distribute backyard composting bins and accept household batteries, fluorescent lights and packaging materials.

Reynolds Recycling will continue operating the HI5 Redemption Center, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. They are closed for lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Kapaa refuse transfer station will be next with an anticipated closure from November 2024 to July 2025. All operations at the Kapaa RTS will be closed. Green waste will still be accepted.

For information, call 808-241-4841 or visit Kauai County’s recycling webpage.