MEDIA RELEASE

Most County of Hawai‘i solid waste transfer stations will be scheduling early morning hours again to accommodate morning commuters with rubbish to dump.

The County’s Department of Environmental Management announced recently that on December 1, a new schedule would eliminate early morning hours at all transfer stations except Hilo, Kailua and Waimea to improve management of the stations and save costs.

In response to many residents’ concerns about the change in hours, however, 11 transfer stations will be opening at 6:30 a.m. again on certain days for the convenience of early morning commuters beginning December 15.

Effective December 15, 2009 the following Solid Waste Transfer Stations will be open to accommodate commuter traffic as indicated in the following table:

Now through December 14, transfer stations will operate according to the previously announced changes (current schedule below). Transfer stations will be staffed from 6:30 a.m. during this period to prevent illegal dumping and to apprise people of the new early morning hours beginning December 15.

The transfer stations in Hilo, Honomu, Kailua-Kona (Kealakehe), Kalapana, Miloli’i, Pahala, Pahoa, Puako, Waimea, and Wai‘ōhinu are not affected by these changes.

Residents are reminded that illegal dumping of solid waste is a crime punishable by up to $10,000/day for each offense (§342H-9, HRS). Those who knowingly dispose of solid waste equal to or greater than one (1) cubic yard and less than ten (10) cubic yards are subject to criminal penalties of up to $25,000/day for each offense (§342H-39, HRS). It is a class C felony offense to knowingly dispose of solid waste equal to or greater than ten (10) cubic yards anywhere other than a permitted solid waste management facility without the written approval of the Director of the Department of Health (§342H-37, HRS). Each day of violation is a separate offense.

Report any suspected illegal dumping activity by filing a complaint with:

• Dept. of Attorney General, Investigations Office: 586-1240;
• Dept. of Health Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch: 586-4226;
• Dept. of Health District Offices: 933-0401 (Hilo), 322-1507 (Kona);
• or County Police Department at 935-3311.

The new schedule and additional solid waste management information is available on the Department’s Web site at www.HawaiiZeroWaste.org. For more information, please contact Mr. Mike Dworsky, P.E., Solid Waste Division Chief. 961-8515.