Dole Food Company Responds to City’s Landfill Selection, Emphasizes Agricultural Priorities and Pending Irrigation System Transfer
December 11 2024 - 9:22PM
Business Wire
Dole Food Company Hawaii (Dole) has issued a statement in
response to the City and County of Honolulu’s announcement
regarding the selection of its lands as a potential site for
Oʻahu’s next landfill. While Dole was surprised by this
announcement and needs time to discuss the decision with its
partners and community stakeholders, the company looks forward to
discussions with city officials to learn more about the
proposal.
“Our immediate priority remains safeguarding Central Oʻahu’s
agricultural community,” said Dan Nellis, General Manager, Dole
Food Company Hawaii. “The Wahiawā Irrigation System (WIS) is the
lifeblood of our region’s farmers, providing essential water for
agriculture and flood control. The transfer of this system to the
State of Hawaiʻi, as outlined in Act 218 (2023), is critical to
ensuring the continued viability of agriculture on Oʻahu.
Protecting our farmers and the community remains our top priority
at this time.”
Dole has been actively working with state agencies to finalize
the donation of the Wahiawa Irrigation System from Dole, including
Lake Wilson and the Wahiawā Dam, to the State of Hawaiʻi. This
initiative, supported by Act 218, which passed in 2023, will enable
necessary upgrades to meet safety standards and unlock federal
funding opportunities for agricultural and water security.
“We urge the City and the State to recognize the urgency of
finalizing the Wahiawā Irrigation System transfer,” the
spokesperson continued. “The irrigation system supports over 50
farmers and more than 500 agricultural jobs in Central Oʻahu. It
also provides critical flood protection to Central O‘ahu and the
North Shore. We appreciate the importance of the landfill
discussion, but ensuring the longevity of agriculture on O‘ahu
remains our focus at this time.”
Dole emphasized that discussions regarding the proposed landfill
site will need to take place after the implementation of Act 218
and the completion of the Wahiawa Irrigation System transfer. “As
stewards of this land, we are committed to protecting Hawaiʻi’s
food security, water resources, and agricultural future,” the
company stated.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241211859376/en/
For media inquiries, please contact: William Goldfield, Director
Corporate Communications Dole Food Company Phone: 818-292-0548
Email: William.goldfield@dole.com
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