State Fines Waimea Asphalt Company $107K for Water Pollution Violation

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health fined a Kaua‘i asphalt company $107,500 for discharging pollutants into state waters without a permit or pollution control practices.

The DOH issued a Notice of Violation and Order to Maui Asphalt X-IV, LLC, which has operated in Waimea, Kauaʻi for the last five years.

The notice of violation occurred in April 2021. A copy of the notice of violation order can be accessed here.

“Industrial pollution poses a threat to Hawaiʻi residents and our natural resources,” said Deputy Director of Environmental Health Kathleen Ho in a news release issued this week. “DOH will continue to enforce environmental regulations to protect public health and the environment.”

Maui Asphalt is ordered to pay a monetary penalty of $107,500 and must obtain and comply with a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The NPDES permit requires the facility to implement pollution control devices to keep pollutants from contaminating bodies of water. Maui Asphalt must also develop a storm water pollution control plan and implement practices to keep pollutants from contaminating water resources.

Maui Asphalt has operated the Waimea site for five years, and in that time period, weather data recorded 43 instances when pollutants such as aggregate, dirt, fuel, oils, and contaminated runoff were discharged into state waters, the release stated.

Maui Asphalt has 20 calendar days after receipt of the notice to pay the fine or to submit a written request for a hearing.