Petition to Prioritize Big Island Resources, Infrastructure, and Responsible Development

We believe the safety of our families, the protection of our natural resources, and the preservation of our way of life must always come before profit. Local housing should come first, and large-scale resort developments, expanded vacation rentals, and other intensive land uses should never be approved when our island’s essential systems are already stretched to their limits.

The Big Island is already struggling with serious infrastructure and resource issues, including:
• Vulnerable water supply systems
• Overburdened roadways and traffic congestion
• Strained emergency response services
• Landfills nearing capacity
• Failing or outdated wastewater systems
• Frequent power outages and grid instability

All ongoing and future large-scale developments must be immediately halted until Hawaiʻi Island’s infrastructure and natural resources can clearly demonstrate the capacity to safely support additional growth.

We respectfully advocate for Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island) to remain a place where natural resources and essential infrastructure are protected for residents and visitors alike. A growing body of publicly reported evidence, from landfill capacity concerns to rising traffic risks, power grid challenges, and water infrastructure stress, shows that current and future development must be aligned with the island’s ability to support its people, environment, and safety.

 

Landfill and Waste Management Challenges
Multiple reputable sources report ongoing concerns about waste management capacity on Hawaiʻi Island, raising serious questions about the island’s ability to sustain additional large-scale development.

The West Hawaiʻi Sanitary Landfill is currently the only operating landfill on the Big Island following the closure of the Hilo Landfill. According to reporting by Big Island Now, the landfill is forecast to reach capacity within approximately 20 to 25 years, prompting ongoing public discussion about how to extend its lifespan and manage waste more sustainably.
Source:
https://bigislandnow.com/2023/09/11/big-island-now-poll-no-27-whats-the-best-way-to-extend-the-life-of-the-big-islands-only-remaining-landfill/

A follow-up poll published by the same outlet further confirms community concern, showing that readers overwhelmingly believe no single solution currently exists to address landfill capacity challenges, reinforcing the seriousness of the issue.
Source:
https://bigislandnow.com/2023/09/17/big-island-now-poll-no-27-results-more-than-one-solution-needed-to-help-extend-life-of-west-hawaii-landfill/

Key takeaway:
• The Big Island relies on a single primary landfill for waste disposal
• That landfill is projected to reach capacity within 20–25 years
• Community and officials acknowledge that long-term solutions remain unresolved

These documented concerns demonstrate that waste management systems are already under strain and must be addressed as part of responsible planning before any additional large-scale development is approved.

• County officials and the Environmental Management Commission have discussed draft ordinances to divert recyclable materials from the landfill to slow capacity loss. “Trying to site a new landfill is close to impossible,” Adams said. “So what are we going to do? So I was looking around, and the commission agreed, to look deeply into the idea of diverting the recyclables out and at least slow the filling up of the landfill.” https://bigislandnow.com/2023/09/06/new-draft-ordinance-aims-to-ban-recyclables-at-west-hawaii-landfill/

• Historical reporting shows that after the South Hilo Landfill closed, all island trash is now hauled to the West Hawaiʻi landfill, highlighting how reliant the island is on this single site. "Everyone wants to throw away their trash, but no one wants a landfill in their backyard. Yet dumps across the state are rapidly filling up." https://www.civilbeat.org/2020/01/whats-up-with-hawaiis-garbage-dumps/

• Waste management systems across Hawaii are facing broader challenges, including stalled waste-to-energy projects and recycling issues, prompting concern about long-term sustainability. "As landfills face closure and waste-to-energy projects stall, various counties in Hawaii are dealing with waste management issues." https://www.waste360.com/landfill/hawaii-deals-with-burgeoning-waste-management-problem

• A news report confirms ongoing waste restrictions at local waste stations, underscoring operational adjustments in waste management systems. "Existing restrictions for commercially generated waste have been extended at the East Hawaiʻi Regional Sort Station through June 30, 2026." https://bigislandnow.com/2025/12/09/hawai%CA%BBi-county-extends-waste-restrictions-at-east-hawai%CA%BBi-sort-station/

• Past reporting also notes that Hawaii County landfill space requires materials to be hauled from all parts of the island and continues to face significant waste challenges. https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-news/2020-01-09/hawaii-island-has-decades-of-landfill-space-but-still-faces-challenges-in-dealing-with-its-waste

Together, these publicly reported articles demonstrate that Hawaiʻi Island’s essential systems are already under visible strain. When the island relies on a single landfill nearing capacity, struggles with wastewater system limitations, experiences frequent power outages, faces water infrastructure stress, and contends with growing traffic safety risks, it is clear that existing resources are not keeping pace with current demand — let alone future large-scale development. Responsible planning requires confronting these realities, not ignoring them. Until Hawaiʻi Island can clearly demonstrate that its infrastructure, utilities, and natural resources can safely support additional growth, all further large-scale development approvals should be halted in the interest of public safety, environmental protection, and long-term sustainability for our communities.

 
Traffic, Road Safety, and Fatalities
Recent statewide transportation data shows increases in traffic fatalities and safety concerns:

• Statewide traffic deaths surged over 20% from the prior year, prompting expanded enforcement efforts by law enforcement agencies. https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/01/deputy-sheriffs-are-beefing-up-hawai%CA%BBi-traffic-enforcement/

• Independent community traffic reporting shows observations of increased reckless driving and more dangerous roadway conditions, correlating with traffic growth. https://www.reddit.com/r/BigIsland/comments/1cv46bo/new_report_shows_hawaii_island_traffic_fatalities/

While traffic patterns are complex statewide, these links show that road safety is a documented and growing public concern, with data confirming increased risk throughout Hawaiʻi. They further demonstrate that our road infrastructure is fundamentally inadequate for current population levels and traffic volumes. Continuing to approve large-scale development under these conditions puts lives at risk. All major new developments should be halted until safe, adequate road infrastructure is established.

 
Power Outages and Reliability
Reliable power is essential to water systems, emergency services, and community wellbeing. Big Island residents have seen proactive outage events:

• There are regular power outage alerts and community reports of outages affecting hundreds of customers on the island. "⚠️ Hawaiian Electric Company issued a power outage alert in Hawaii County ----- [Update 9/25 12:24PM] ✅ Power is now restored. [Update 9/25 11:44AM] Affecting: 977 customers. ----- - Alert issued at: 9/25 11:03AM. - Area: Keauhou Punahele Condos, Komohana Kai, Kilohana Kai, and more. - Affecting: 934 customers. - Cause: Unknown. - Estimated service restoration: 9/25 3:00PM" https://nextdoor.com/agency-detail/hi/hawaii-county/power-outage-alerts-2/

 

•  "What You Need To Know
  Hawaii Island customers may see alerts asking them to conserve energy, especially on days when there isn’t much wind that generates up to 15% of electricity

        When alerts are issued, Hawaiian Electric is asking customers to take immediate action to minimize electricity use

        Even when no alerts are issued, customers — including hotels and large retailers — are urged to reduce electricity use as much as                        possible, especially between 5 and 9 p.m. on weekdays

        If there is not enough electricity to meet demand, Hawaiian Electric may initiate rolling outages of up to an hour around the island

       These events show that power reliability and resiliency are ongoing concerns and directly impact other essential resource systems like                  water delivery." https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/news/2024/03/25/hawaii-island-customers-urged-to-reduce-electricity-use- through-april?utm_source=chatgpt.com

•  "Hawaiian Electric has initiated rolling outages on Hawaiʻi Island tonight due to the unavailability or reduced output of several large generators. In addition, wind and hydro resources are near zero.
  Water Infrastructure and Conservation
  Water infrastructure systems on the Big Island face stresses from climate conditions and other factors" https://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2024/04/14/rolling-outages-to-occur-on-hawai%CA%BBi-island-sunday-night/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

 

•  Public safety notices indicate that water service could be impacted by proactive power shutoffs during wildfire risk conditions because water systems rely on power to operate. https://bigislandnow.com/2025/07/08/water-service-could-be-impacted-by-potential-public-safety-power-shutoff-as-hawaiian-electric-continues-to-monitor-wildfire-risk/

 

• Severe drought monitoring has been publicized for parts of the island, which raises community awareness about limited water availability. https://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2023/11/06/water-supply-closely-monitored-as-hawai%CA%BBi-under-severe-drought/

These reports reflect ongoing, real-world concerns about the reliability and resilience of Hawaiʻi Island’s power and water infrastructure even under current conditions, demonstrating that essential systems are already under strain. They underscore that outages, conservation alerts, and service vulnerabilities are not hypothetical risks but recurring realities for residents, raising serious concerns about the island’s ability to safely support additional population growth or large-scale development without placing public health, safety, and critical services at further risk.

Water Issues on Big Island

• "Prolonged lack of rainfall and dry conditions have prompted Hawai‘i County to issue a water conservation notice for both residential and commerical accounts in South Kohala till further notice. Hawai‘i County’s Department of Water Supply is asking customers to reduce water use by at least 10%." https://bigislandnow.com/2025/10/14/drought-conditions-prompt-water-conservation-notice-in-south-kohala/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

 

• "Officials warn that without conservation, water tanks might not sustain enough supply, possibly causing low pressure or total outages for residents in the area." https://bigislandnow.com/2025/09/01/dow-issues-essential-needs-only-water-advisory-for-north-kohala/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

 

• "Alameda is also hoping the county retains oversight of the Keauhou aquifer, which the state is looking to designate as a conservation area. This would enable the state Commission and Water Resource Management to more closely monitor the use of the water." https://bigislandnow.com/2025/12/07/state-senators-learn-about-hawai%ca%bbi-countys-needs-priorities-for-next-session-during-recent-visit/

 

• "Hawai‘i County Department of Water Supply says the request for customers in the affected area to reduce their water usage by 10% comes because of a prolonged lack of rainfall and significant reduction in spring flows." https://bigislandnow.com/2025/10/14/hakalau-residents-asked-to-reduce-water-use-because-of-arid-conditions/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Our Requests to Decision-Makers

Our Position: Infrastructure Must Come Before Development
We call for an immediate halt to all ongoing and proposed large-scale developments on Hawaiʻi Island until the following critical issues are fully addressed and resolved:

✅ Water Capacity & Reliability
Assess and resolve current water system limitations before any development proceeds, particularly in areas experiencing drought conditions, well failures, or mandatory water restrictions.

✅ Power Reliability & Grid Stability
Correct ongoing power system vulnerabilities, including generator failures, rolling outages, and the cascading impacts power interruptions have on water delivery, healthcare services, communications, and emergency response.

✅ Roadway Safety & Infrastructure
Modernize and improve roadway infrastructure, recognizing that rising traffic volumes on limited two-lane roadways pose serious risks to emergency access, evacuation readiness, and public safety.

✅ Waste Management & Landfill Capacity
Address waste management and landfill capacity limitations, acknowledging that Hawaiʻi Island relies on a single primary landfill and that long-term disposal and recycling systems already face documented strain.

✅ Infrastructure Must Be Proven Adequate
Demonstrate that essential infrastructure can safely support the current population before allowing any projects that would further increase demand on water, power, transportation, and waste systems.

 
Why This Matters
Hawaiʻi Island has finite natural resources and infrastructure capacity. Responsible planning that aligns development approvals with infrastructure readiness protects residents, visitors, cultural heritage, and environmental health now and for future generations.

Our families depend on reliable water, safe roads, stable power, functioning emergency services, and healthy natural resources. The evidence is clear that these essential systems are already under strain. Continuing to approve or allow large-scale development under these conditions places residents, kupuna, keiki, future generations, and even tourists at real risk.

We are calling for leadership that chooses safety over speed, people over profit, and long-term sustainability over short-term gain. Until Hawaiʻi Island’s infrastructure and natural resources can genuinely support additional growth, all major development must stop. This is not anti-progress, this is responsible stewardship, common sense planning, and care for the place we call home.

Please stand with us. Sign this petition to protect our island, our community, and our future.

Thank you for your support in prioritizing Big Island resources and infrastructure.

Written by:
https://bigislandsupport.com/