Hawaii County recently announced that they are severely limiting Big Island garbage transfer stations, closing them three days a week.  The County says this is necessary because of a shortage of workers who either have Covid, or have been exposed and require quarantine.

Although we residents understand that we are in a unique situation with the pandemic, and we are very sympathetic to the workers and their families, the County has an obligation to pay for extra staffing (temp workers, contractors, etc.) to keep the garbage transfer stations open.

We pay taxes to support the few County resources that we receive.  Many of us rely on our own water and electricity, and dispose of our own garbage.  Every time the garbage transfer stations are closed (holidays, staff meetings, etc.) people pile garbage at the gate, or worse, dump their garbage on neighborhood roads.  People may start burning their garbage, causing air pollution on the island.  We all know that trash here can turn unhygienic in a day or two.

Please sign this petition to demand that the County pay for additional staff to cover for affected staff so that residents can safely dispose of their garbage!!!