Sometimes you wonder why anyone would want to stand for elected office.

Take, for instance, Mufi Hannemann. Our current mayor goes from dawn to dusk, and often longer than that, six or seven days a week, in his efforts to keep up with the duties and obligations of his office.

Does that sound like fun? And often, our Mayor has to walk into a situation where there cannot be a pleasant outcome.

A classic example is a public meeting scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Nanaikapono Elementary School to discuss the Waimanalo landfill.

The Hannemann Administration wants to extend the existing lease on the landfill and is also seeking permits to expand it so it can continue to accept refuse for several more years.

This is not a matter of wanting to force more garbage into an already over-burdened neighborhood. Rather, it is an attempt to deal with the plain fact that there are no easy alternatives.

Bet on it. Hannemann will get an earful from area residents who are sick and tired of accepting an entire island's garbage. Opponents say there are alternatives, including an expanded H-Power plant, more recycling and even shipping garbage out of state.

But no matter what options are put into place, there will be an ongoing need for a landfill on Oahu. That's reality, and it is a reality that cannot be dealt with through glib public relations and hoomalimali. It will take tough choices, and someone is going to take a hit for making those choices.