LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i County is suing the State of Hawai‘i in an effort to collect more than $4,000 in back sewer fees. The subject Department of Land and Natural Resources parcel is on Hanapepe Road and the bills in arrears
LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i County is suing the State of Hawai‘i in an effort to collect more than $4,000 in back sewer fees.
The subject Department of Land and Natural Resources parcel is on Hanapepe Road and the bills in arrears were left behind by a former tenant of the building, said Deborah Ward, DLNR spokesperson.
There is no telephone listing or apparent online presence for the former tenant, Control Environment Aquaculture Technology Inc., which she said previously declared bankruptcy.
Ward responded “no” when asked if it is the state’s intent to pay the sewer fees owed to the county for the property.
“The department of the Attorney General is looking into this lawsuit,” Ward said.
Mauna Kea Trask, deputy county attorney handling the case, said the county’s sewer ordinance says property owners are responsible for sewer charges, and state DLNR officials leased the Hanapepe Road property to the technology company, which failed to pay monthly sewer bills during its tenancy.
Court records indicate state DLNR officials failed to show up for a scheduled hearing on the matter at the Lihu‘e state courthouse even though they were served with documents requesting their presence.
As a result, 5th Circuit Judge Trudy Senda ordered judgment in favor of the county and scheduled a proof hearing for 8:45 a.m., Nov. 23.
In lieu of an in-person appearance, Trask may submit a declaration or affidavit with exhibits attached, Senda ruled.
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