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Mayor, JTB, WBID unveil dozens of specialty trash cans in Waikīkī
Funds for the decorated rubbish bins donated by JTB Hawai‘i, Inc.




O‘AHU – Alongside a variety of leaders from JTB Hawai‘i, the Waikīkī Business Improvement District (WBID), Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), and Waikīkī community at-large, Mayor Rick Blangiardi unveiled the first of 26 specialty trash cans to be installed along the popular Kūhiō Beach Park in Waikīkī today.

During a ceremony fronting the famed statue of Duke Kahanamoku, the location where the first decorated rubbish bins will be installed, Mayor spoke of the importance of public-private partnerships towards maintaining the momentum achieved by the Waikīkī Safe and Sound Program, which has effectively reduced crime in most categories for the neighborhood.

“Coming into office, we embarked on an incredible journey to clean up the community surrounding our most valuable asset: Waikīkī,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “Our administration has focused heavily on providing equity to public spaces all around Oʻahu, and this kind of public-private partnership is exactly what we needed to help us in Waikīkī. These trash cans are a very good reminder of the collaborative effort needed to help ensure safer and cleaner streets for the thousands of visitors who arrive on our shores each year.”

The donation of the 30 upgraded waste bins and accompanying artwork by JTB Hawai‘i was approved by the Honolulu City Council via Resolution 24-47 in February 2024. The donation by JTB Hawai'i is in appreciation to the community for the company's 60th year anniversary milestone in Hawai‘i. The installation of the remaining trash cans throughout Kūhiō Beach Park (26 in total, with four remaining as backups) is expected to be completed in time for JTB Hawai‘i’s annual community service project, "JTB Brighter Earth Project," which will consist of clean-up efforts at Kūhiō Beach Park and Kapi‘olani Park on July 13, 2024.

"JTB Hawai'i Group is celebrating our 60th Anniversary since establishing our office in Hawai'i and managing our first tour group from Japan in 1964,” said Tetsuya (Ted) Kubo President & CEO of JTB Hawai‘i, Inc. “Over the years, millions of customers have enjoyed memorable experiences in Hawai‘i, with Waikīkī being the focal point of all places. It makes perfect sense for us to show our gratitude by contributing back to the Waikīkī community as a part of our 60th year celebration. All of us at JTB Hawai‘i Group (JTB Hawai‘i, Inc./JTB Hawai‘i Travel, LLC/Travel Plaza Transportation, LLC/Tachibana Enterprises, LLC) and our sister company MC&A, Inc., would like to thank everyone in the community for being a mutual partner by providing positive impacts to both the local community and the visitors from around the world. The new durable and immobile rubbish bins feature Hawai‘i-themed designs to blend with the environment, prevent trash from littering the beach and ocean, protecting the bins from people reaching in, and thus will aim to promote community cleanliness, safety, and environmental sustainability. "

The American-made rubbish bins incorporate a vandal-resistant, drawer-opening design to make disposing of trash easy while keeping the rubbish inside the containers. The artwork surrounding the bins (designed, printed, and installed by JPG Hawai‘i), were created with local community groups to make the receptacles visually appealing by using island-inspired designs and colors without detracting from the surrounding environment. The bins also include a message of mālama ‘āina or “respecting the land” intended to inform malihini (tourists) of the importance of keeping our natural environment clean by properly disposing of waste.

Transferred to City jurisdiction in March 1936, the 3.4-acre Kūhiō Beach Park is named after Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole. Born in the Kōloa District of Kaua‘i, Kūhiō was named prince of the Hawaiian Kingdom by Royal proclamation at age 13. Following the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom Government in 1893, Kūhiō was arrested and imprisoned for a year for participating in the armed resistance known as the Kaua Kūloko. He later served as a Hawaiian delegate to the U.S. Congress for nearly 20 years before passing in 1922 at the age of 50. The father of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, he is also recognized for many accomplishments such as: introducing surfing to the United States with his brothers, helping establish numerous parks around the islands, advocating for women’s suffrage, forming the Hawaiian Civic Clubs, implementing our current county system of government, and mastering lua (Hawaiian martial arts). To honor Kūhiō and these many philanthropic efforts, a State holiday is recognized annually on his birthday, March 26. For more information about the life and many accomplishments of Prince Kūhiō, pleased visit: dhhl.hawaii.gov/kuhio/

If you need an auxiliary aid/service, other accommodations due to a disability, or an interpreter for a language other than English in reference to this announcement, please contact the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation at (808) 768-3003 on weekdays from 7:45 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or email parks@honolulu.gov at least three business days before the scheduled event. Without sufficient advanced notice, it may not be possible to fulfill requests.
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