Kauai County’s Department of Public Works, Solid Waste Division invites the public to a meeting on Aug. 31 to discuss the proposed vertical expansion of the Phase II of the Kekaha Municipal Solid Waste Landfill, according to a news release.

The community meeting is scheduled for 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Aug. 31 at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center so residents can respond to the vertical expansion’s draft environmental assessment. The meeting will include information stations laying out the vertical expansion, Kauai’s landfill history, current landfill operations and host community benefits, and waste diversion.

Situated on Kauai’s west side, the Kekaha Landfill measures approximately 98 acres comprised of two fill areas.

According to the Kauai County website, Phase I is an unlined municipal solid waste landfill that closed in 1993; no changes are proposed in this area. Phase II is a lined municipal solid waste landfill that began accepting solid waste in 1993. With a maximum elevation of 120 feet above “mean sea level,” officials estimate Phase II will reach capacity in October 2026.

Kekaha Landfill is Kauai’s only permitted landfill. The Phase II expansion will provide the county more time to identify long-term municipal solid waste alternatives.

Contact Allison Fraley at 808-241-4837 or afraley@kauai.gov with questions about the public meeting.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.