Dumped and Forgotten Trash Across Lāna‘i
Trash on Lāna‘i shows up in different ways. Some of it is small. Wrappers, bottles and cans left behind in Dole Park, near the pool, or along sidewalks. Some of it is larger. Furniture, refrigerators, washers, dryers and even abandoned cars left along dirt roads or dumped in open fields.
People have different reasons for why they litter, but most don’t want their names attached to it. No one wants to admit they are the ones leaving trash behind, but when asked anonymously, they explain their reasoning.
One person shared it’s out of habit. If they see litter on the ground, they don’t think twice about adding to it. “Sometimes I just let ’em go and don’t even notice.”
Another person shrugged off responsibility. “Yeah, I tried throwing it away, but the trash was full, so it just fell out.” They admitted there was more than one trash can and that others weren’t full. “I guess I could have thrown it into another one though.”
A longtime resident who picks up trash when they see it had a different view. “When we were kids, if we got caught throwing trash on the ground, we got yelled at.” They pointed out that the number of trash bins hasn’t changed much. “The problem isn’t that there’s nowhere to put it.”
The bigger trash gets left for different reasons. Out past the edge of town, along dirt roads and in open fields, there are old appliances, mattresses, furniture and cars.
Some say they had no other option. “The dump wasn’t open when I needed to throw my stuff away,” someone said. “I wasn’t gonna wait, so I just left it. I saw other stuff already out there.”
For things like washers, dryers and refrigerators, some don’t want to wait for the recycling event. “I already had other stuff I needed to throw away, and I wasn’t gonna hold onto it for months just ‘cause the recycling thing only happens twice a year. Where am I supposed to put all that?”
The longtime resident who picks up trash when they see it also believes the issue goes beyond convenience. It’s about valuing Lāna‘i. They feel that respect for the island starts with understanding it. “If you grow up learning about the place you live, the history, the stories, what it took to build things up, you don’t just trash it. You see the value in it.”
“You know what was here before us and what should be here after us. When you feel connected, you’re less likely to just leave your junk anywhere and expect someone else to deal with it,” they said.
While some may feel there are limited options for disposing of bulky items, there are legal avenues available. Advocating for the establishment of a transfer station on Lāna‘i — a designated site where residents could regularly drop off appliances, furniture, and other large items for off-island disposal. Maui and Molokai already have similar facilities. Supporting efforts to bring one here could give residents a more consistent and accessible way to manage waste responsibly and legally.
Dumping outside of permitted facilities is also against the law. Hawai‘i Revised Statutes §708-829 makes it a petty misdemeanor to knowingly place, throw, or drop litter on any public or private property or into public or private waters. Violators may face fines ranging from $500 to $1,000 and may also be required to perform community service, such as picking up litter.
In addition, the Department of Health requires that all solid waste be disposed of only at permitted recycling or disposal facilities. Illegal dumping may result in fines between $10,000 and $25,000 per occurrence and can lead to felony prosecution.
Where to Take Trash
For large items, the Lāna‘i landfill on Kaumālapa‘u Highway is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and closed on Sundays and Mondays. The Maui County Solid Waste Division handles general waste and recycling inquiries. The Lāna‘i office can be reached at (808) 270-1731, and the main office on Maui at (808) 270-7720.
The landfill takes bulkier trash but does not accept appliances, electronics, tires or certain metals. Those need to be taken to a metals and e-waste recycling event, which happens twice a year.
The most recent Lāna‘i Metals and E-Waste Recycling Event was held on April 12, 2025, at the Pūlama Lāna‘i Fleet Yard on Ilima Avenue and Eleventh Street. Residents were able to drop off:
Refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, water heaters and air conditioners
Household appliances and scrap metal
Tires and batteries
Propane tanks
Televisions, computers, printers, copiers and monitors
Another metals and e-waste recycling event is scheduled for the second half of the year, with the date to be announced.