LIHUE — Three Kauai companies were cited by the Hawaii Department of Health for violations, ranging from failing to inspect deposit containers for redemption labels and not turning in their semi-annual report to missing payments.
Kauai Natural Waters, LLC., Garden Island Disposal, Inc., and Kukuiula Store are accused of violating the Deposit Beverage Container Law, and were cited by the DOH, according to a release.
Kauai Natural Waters, LLC., in Kapaa, failed to turn in their HI-5 beverage container semi-annual reports, which details the profit made from HI-5 drop-offs, said Darren Park, manager of the Deposit Beverage Container Program.
Hawaii Revised Statutes require beverage distributors to submit semi-annual distributor reports and payments to DOH no later than the 15th calendar day of the month following the end of the semi-annual payment period. DOH conducts regular inspections of beverage distributors and certified redemption centers to ensure compliance with Hawaii laws, according to the release.
The report multiplies the number of containers by the 5-cent and 1-cent container fees, Park said.
“It’s pretty simple,” he said.
Though simple, keeping track of the payment is important, and serves as a checks and balances system.
“If it’s not paid, the state has to pick up the nickel,” Park said. “So the state is floating the money until the company pays for it.”
During the last reporting period from July 1, 2015 to Dec. 31, the DOH issued Notices of Violation and Order to nine companies, including Kauai Natural Waters, LLC after they failed to submit payments and reports required of beverage distributors by the State’s Deposit Beverage Container Law, according to the release.
The other companies were on the Big Island, Oahu and Texas.
All of the companies were fined $400 and given the chance to request a hearing to contest the alleged facts and penalty.
Garden Isle Disposal, Inc., in Lihue, and Kukuiula Store, in Koloa, were cited for other violations.
Garden Isle Disposal, Inc. was cited for multiple violations within the period of March 18, 2014 to June 27, 2015, the release said.
Those violations include: failing to inspect deposit containers for redemption labels, failing to pay only on eligible containers and failing to inspect deposit containers for contamination.
Garden Isle Disposal was fined an administrative penalty fee of $12,000. A settlement reached between DOH and the company through a consent order requires Garden Island Disposal to pay $3,000 and submit a corrective action plan to avoid future violations.
Kukuiula Store was cited for late payments and reports that were delinquent for the semi-annual reporting period of Jan. 1 to June 30, 2014. They were ordered to pay $440 penalty fee. The case has been settled, Park said.
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Four HI5 redemption centers temporarily closed due to mechanical issues
The four HI5 bottle redemption centers that are operated by Kauai Community Recycling Services will be temporarily closed beginning today due to mechanical problemswith their scale.
The location of the KCRS centers and their normal days of operation are as follows:
• Kapaa, 962 Kipuni Way, Arzadon Industrial Park, Monday to Friday
• Kilauea, 5-2723 Kuhio Highway, behind Kauai Mini Golf, Tuesday and Friday
• Kekaha, Kekaha Road, across from the old mill, Wednesday and Saturday
• Koloa, 2810 Poipu Road, next to the fire station, Thursday and Sunday
These centers will resume service once repairs have been made. For updates, please call James Higginbotham at 645-1676.
The redemption center at the Kauai Resource Center in Lihue, as well as the centers that are operated by Reynolds Recycling in Lihue and Kapahi will be open as usual.
