The City Council yesterday chose not to override Mayor Mufi Hannemann's veto of a bill that would have closed Waimanalo Gulch landfill by mid-2008.

Yesterday was the deadline to override the veto and instead of taking a vote, the council chose to defer, essentially upholding the mayor's decision.

Additionally, some council members announced during yesterday's special meeting that they no longer supported closing the landfill even though they voted to do so less than one month ago. That vote was 7-2.

Councilman Gary Okino, who voted last month to force the closure, said he supported the mayor's veto. He said unless that the council was prepared to offer another option, the mayor's decision to keep O'ahu's only municipal landfill in operation should stand.

Hannemann announced this month that the city will seek permission from the state Department of Health to operate the landfill for 15 years beyond the 2008 deadline.

Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com.