Blessing Held for Kekaha Landfill Gas Collection Project

A blessing was held on Tuesday afternoon to mark the start of construction for the gas collection and control system at the Kekaha Landfill.

The $4.17 million project will provide a system in which to collect methane gas generated by decomposing trash at the landfill. The scope of work includes the installation of gas collection and control system components, including collection wells, piping and an enclosed flare facility.

The project is funded through the State Revolving Fund program, a low-interest loan administered by the state Department of Health.

Goodfellow Brothers, Inc. is the general contractor for the project. Other companies involved in the project include AECOM Technical Services and CH2M Engineers.

The blessing was attended by Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr., Field Representative for Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard KaulanaFinn, Governor’s Liaison Carrice Gardner, Representative Derek Kawakami, representatives from the contractor and the Department of Public Works, and Kahu Sam Bustillos who officiated the blessing.

As the construction project is underway, county officials are researching options to use the captured gas.

“We are eager to reduce Kaua‘i’s carbon footprint as we work toward the ultimate goal of utilizing the captured methane to fuel the county’s bus fleet,” stated Mayor Carvalho.

The gas collection project is expected to be complete by the end of this year.

Anyone with questions on the project can contact Troy Tanigawa with the Solid Waste Division at 241-4838.

L-R: Public Works Environmental Services Manager Troy Tanigawa; Todd Svetin of Goodfellow Brothers; Governor’s Liaison Carrice Gardner; Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr; Field Representative for Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard Kaulana Finn; Representative Derek Kawakami; and Matt Heahlke of Goodfellow Brothers.

The crew from the Kekaha Landfill also attended Tuesday’s blessing. Pictured L-R: Mark Kawakami; Evan Vasconcelles; Troy Tanigawa; Spencer Link; Pohaku Stone; Todd Svetin; Chris Tavares; Mike Minkemann; Larry Yadao; Mayor Carvalho; Chad Pimental; Keola Cruz; Brandon Malama; Matt Heahlke; Kimo Palama; Rep. Derek Kawakami