Landfill Closed, Trash Pickup Delayed Until Tomorrow

The thick smoke at the landfill made visibility difficult for the Maui fire fighters at the scene. Photo by Rod Antone.

By Rodney S. Yap

Maui County fire fighters are still on the scene at the Central Maui Landfill Refuse & Recycling Center, where a blaze at the EKO Compost site has closed down operations today and possibly tomorrow.

This means that all of Maui’s normally scheduled trash pick-up routes — with the exception of Hana — will be delayed until tomorrow, June 4. This also means that tomorrow’s usual trash-pick up routes will be pushed back until the late afternoon or Wednesday, June 5, say county officials.

Residents and businesses will also not be able to drop off refuse or recycling materials at the landfill as it is closed to the public due to the unsafe conditions from the fire and smoke. This closure includes the landfill, the EKO Composting site and Pacific Biodisel as well.

The fire was first reported at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday and initially involved about two acres of compost material. Maui County fire fighters responded and were assisted by county public works water tanker and bulldozer crews, along with state airport fire fighters.

Aerial photo illustrates the amount of smoke being generated at the Central Maui Landfill. Photo by Rod Antone.

Because of the thick smoke at the scene, fire officials were unable to assess the damage at the site. A damage estimate is expected later today.