We are thankful to live in a jurisdiction where we can drag bulky items to the curb and the local municipality will come pick it up at no charge.

Of the 30 jurisdictions reviewed by the city auditor in its August 2017 audit of the city’s bulky item collection service, Honolulu is one of 17 that does not charge some type of additional fee for this service. Of course, taxpayers pay for most municipal services and in this case, Oahu property taxpayers pay for our public refuse services.

The auditor’s cover letter for this audit said, “Residents are using the bulky item collection service to dispose of non-bulky refuse, as well as bulky refuse, and are not complying with bulky collection rules and ordinances.” These activities take advantage of this service, create hazards, drain resources and show a lack of responsibility we all share concerning waste creation and management.

Cam Black

Kuliouou

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