Commentary

John Pritchett: Open With Care

Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced last week the new Oʻahu landfill would be built in Wahiawā. That’s made Westside politicians and residents very happy. But concerns are being raised over potential problems for the island’s water supply.

By John Pritchett

December 16, 2024 · 1 min read

John Pritchett/Civil Beat/2024

About the Author

John Pritchett

John Pritchett is an award-winning cartoonist. He has created artwork in Hawaii for decades, including 20 years at the Honolulu Weekly. See his portfolio on the web at: pritchettcartoons.com. Opinions are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Civil Beat’s views.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced last week the new Oʻahu landfill would be built in Wahiawā. That’s made Westside politicians and residents very happy. But concerns are being raised over potential problems for the island’s water supply.

(John Pritchett/Civil Beat/2024)

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About the Author

John Pritchett

John Pritchett is an award-winning cartoonist. He has created artwork in Hawaii for decades, including 20 years at the Honolulu Weekly. See his portfolio on the web at: pritchettcartoons.com. Opinions are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Civil Beat’s views.

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The gift card might read, "Don't open until we're gone to find out what's inside" signed Blangiardi and Babcock

Joseppi · 4 weeks ago

You going to be drinking opala wai!

Spike · 4 weeks ago

It is ridiculous to say you can seal off a landfill from leaking forever—everything fails eventually. Therefore, a landfill should never be built over an aquifer that supplies drinking water, especially when there are suitable sites controlled by the military. I have not heard any good reason why we should not use this land other than the military just doesn’t want to give it up.why can’t the state give the city a negotiating hand by refusing to renew the land leases that are coming up for renewal until the Department of Defense gives up land for the new landfill site? The department of defense should want to atone for the damage they’ve done to our aquifer from Red Hill.

manetta48 · 4 weeks ago

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