The City and County of Honolulu has chosen a site northwest of Wahiawā for a new landfill, which is raising concerns because it's located over the island's aquifer. Councilmember Matt Weyer said, “I'm shocked and disappointed that we would consider putting a landfill on top of our aquifer.” The Board of Water Supply also warned about the risks to the island’s water supply, as stated by Spectrum Local News and KITV.

The City Administration plans to build a new landfill away from schools and hospitals, using extra safety measures to protect the water supply. Mayor Rick Blangiardi is confident the landfill can be safely managed. However, State Representative Sean Quinlan is concerned, saying, “The City Administration's proposal to establish a landfill near Wahiawā presents a significant threat to the North Shore of Oahu's precious water supply.” He fears the landfill could contaminate local water sources, as reported by Spectrum Local News.

If the decision is reversed, Mayor Blangiardi said there would be few options for waste disposal unless the law is changed or the Waimanalo Gulch site stays open. State Rep. Darius Kila told Spectrum Local News that his community is relieved the Waimanalo Gulch landfill will close, saying, "For far too long, we have carried more than our fair share of this responsibility." Oahu produces about 1.2 million tons of waste each year, so a new landfill is needed. The City plans to use a new site for the next 20 years to handle different types of waste. They will also work with the Honolulu Board of Water Supply and Dole Food Company and complete an Environmental Impact Statement to move forward with the landfill, as mentioned by Spectrum Local News.