HILO, Hawaii – Items relating to Hawaii County’s compost contract got extra attention during this year’s council finance committee budget hearings.

Hilo councilman Aaron Chung got into the specifics of the money, and the $10 million bond that was floated to build the East Hawaii Organics Facility. That facility is in limbo after Mayor Harry Kim cancelled the compost contract earlier this year. The mayor and the contractor – Hawaiian Earth Recycling – are working on a new agreement, but the location of the East Hawaii Organics Facility remains unresolved. The initial site chosen for the facility was opposed by surrounding homesteaders.

Deanna Sako said $3,485,000 is budgeted for the contract, which is enough to cover the enhanced mulching.

If the county goes forward with the composting phase of the project – which might include the East Hawaii Organics Facility – it will have to find $1.3 million more.