HILO, Hawaii – Panaewa residents came out in a strong show of opposition to locating the East Hawaii Organics Facility in their backyard, where they feel the stench from the operation will impact their lives on a daily basis.

The off and on-again county contract for the enhanced mulching project has become a subject of intense debate at the Hawaii County Council.

The Harry Kim administration has agreed to work with the contractor on the service, after suddenly terminating the composting contract earlier this year.

On Wednesday – after a long discussion at the council meeting in Hilo – the Department of Environmental Management announced it has formally withdrawn its Draft Environmental Assessment for the proposed composting facility, “amid residents’ concerns that the location of the facility would impose adverse impacts on the community.” The location for the facility was specifically identified in the contract.