KAPA‘A — Anyone caught illegally dumping a large truckload of waste material would face up to five years in prison and a $50,000 fine under a bill signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Linda Lingle. The bill is aimed at
KAPA‘A — Anyone caught illegally dumping a large truckload of waste material would face up to five years in prison and a $50,000 fine under a bill signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Linda Lingle.
The bill is aimed at keeping abandoned automobiles, appliances and other trash off roadsides and vacant lots.
At the Kapa‘a Transfer Station a series of signs were in place Saturday warning dumpers not to leave their trash outside of the transfer station after hours, or face a $1,000 fine.
Lingle, who attended a fundraiser Saturday night at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort at Kalapaki, said earlier this week her backing of the new steeper fines is an attempt to eliminate “ad hoc garbage dumps” that have become a big problem in Hawai‘i.”
Those who are caught and decide to again dump in areas outside of proper areas could trigger a large fine just by dumping a pickup load of rubbish where it’s not suppose to go. The letter of the law states 10 cubic yards for first-time offenders, and for repeat offenders, more than one cubic yard.
Legislators supported the bill and said they recognized that illegal dumping is a major problem on Kaua‘i and other islands. A statement on the bill said they believe that increasing the penalty “sends a message to the community and will serve to deter future offenses.”
Chris Cook, Editor, can be reached at ccook@pulitzer.net or 245-3681 (ext. 227).
