Hawaii 24/7 Staff

Kailua-Kona’s Island Mini Mart has been fined by the state Department of Health for a number of underground storage tank violations.

The Health Department has issued a Notice of Violation against Aloha Petroleum, Ltd., which operates the Kuakini Highway gas station, and levied a fine of $32,500.

Aloha Petroleum was cited for:

* Failure to monitor five (5) USTs that routinely contained product at least every 30 days between June 2010 and August 2010.

* Failure to notify DOH that the USTs were temporarily out of use within 30 days after the change in status. The USTs were placed on temporary out-of-use status between May 17, 2010 and Aug. 18, 2010.

* Failure to notify DOH that the USTs were put back into service. DOH received notification only on June 23, 2011.

The violations were found during a May 17, 2011 routine inspection and subsequent review of documents provided by Aloha Petroleum.

Owners and/or operators of tank systems are required to provide a method to detect a release from any portion of the UST and the connected underground piping that routinely contains product. In addition, to avoid accidental release of regulated substances into the environment, UST or tanks systems must be monitored at least every 30 days.

The regulations also require notification to the state DOH when there is a change in the UST or tank system’s status.

Aloha Petroleum may request a hearing to contest the allegations and fine.