County asks public to report illegal dumping in effort to curb continuing trash trouble

Kaua‘i County officials last week reminded the public that dumping trash and other waste on island roadways, vacant lots and public or private property is illegal.

Residents acknowledged the problem when commenting on a county Facebook post about the issue.

Some offered solutions to help alleviate not just the illegal dumping situation but the island’s overall trash burden as well, including one person who suggested an incinerator to burn the island’s trash.

Many, however, expressed frustration about several problems they see at the heart of the issue.

A lack of law enforcement response when illegal dumping or littering is reported, including by houseless people at island beaches. The county not accepting certain materials and large items at its refuse transfer stations.

Constant and prolonged closures of those transfer stations.

Illegal dumping is straightforward. It’s discarding waste or rubbish in a place it shouldn’t be.

That trash includes bagged trash, loose waste, yard waste, appliances, tires, construction and demolition waste, vehicle parts and furniture.

“In the past few weeks, crews with the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation have retrieved trash and other materials that have been dumped in public roadways islandwide,” said Kaua‘i County Engineer Troy Tanigawa.

The county engineer added that not only is it illegal, with violators possibly facing hefty fines, dumping rubbish on public roadways, in vacant lots or where it is not permitted is a public safety risk.

“I went to the west side recently and noticed tons of litter along the highways!” exlaimed Naomi LippKrysler in a comment on the county’s Facebook post. “Bad, bad, bad!”

Officials are asking the public to report illegal dumping and littering in an effort to deter and curb the continuing rubbish riddle.

“Yeah, everyone needs to help clamp down,” commented Erik Nudd on the county’s Facebook post.

Curtis Langstaff knows the county doesn’t make it easy to discard large trash items, that’s his biggest pet peeve. As for dumping that rubbish on the side of the road or in empty lots?

“Speaks volumes about the offender and their lack of respect for everybody and the ʻāina,” wrote Langstaff in his comment on the county’s post. “Pilau buggahs all.”

Mary Kealoha asked in her comment what the county thought would happen when it closed the Līhu‘e refuse transfer station for 6 weeks. The facility is now shuttered for renovations.

Kapena Cummings wrote the county’s trash troubles are probably because of the “mechanical issues” its rubbish facilites — except the landfill in Kekaha — seem to consistently experience, causing them to be closed and unable to accept rubbish.

“How about all those who just litter along all our highways?” asked Gina Butterfield Lasher in her comment. “Try stopping that!!!”

Dale Rosenfeld commented he has reported illegal dumping near the resevoir close to Kawaihau Road and nothing is ever done about it. He pleaded with the county to take care of the trash in the Kainahola Road area.

“The cars have finally been removed, and so now there’s room for even more dumping,” wrote Rosenfeld. “The refrigerator has been there, couches, now there’s pallets and mattresses.”

Cindy Reynolds-Plemer complained that her previous calls to law enforcement about illegally dumped waste also fell on deaf ears.

“When you call the police about those dumping and making a mess at our beaches, this is not enforced at all,” wrote Reyonlds-Plemer.

Regardless of the criticisms, the best way for residents to report illegal dumping is still to call Kaua‘i police dispatch at 808-241-1711. If possible and safe, photograph the license plate of the alleged violator and write down their license plate number.

Those caught, charged and convicted of dumping trash illegally can face up to $10,000 per day in civil penalties for each offense.

Furthermore, criminal littering is when a person knowingly disposes of trash or waste in unauthorized areas.

It is a petty misdemeanor, punishable with community service for first-time offenders up to fines of $500 to $1,000 for subsequent offenses.

Rubbish and recyclables can be thrown away appropriately at any of the county’s refuse transfer stations and diverted to the county landfill in Kekaha.

As a reminder, the Līhu‘e transfer station will be closed for a few more weeks as renovations continue. It is scheduled to reopen on or before Nov. 2.

That still doesn’t fix all of the issues some see as contributing factors in the illegal dumping happening around the Garden Isle.

Tyler Kinnaman said the county itself is the problem when it doesn’t allow certain items to be dumped at its facilities, forcing residents to take them and others elsewhere. Especially old cars and scrap metal.

He said when it comes to getting rid of a clunker that no longer runs, there’s so many things that need to be done it’s easier just to throw it in a bush or leave it on the road and walk away.

As for scrap metal: “If the county funded Puhi Metals, they could pay for scrap like everywhere else and no cars would be left everywhere,” said Kinnaman.

“I have a lot of scrap metal in my yard because I get turned away everywhere I try to dispose of it,” commented Riley Takayama. “I can see why people dump stuff anywhere.”

The Puhi Metals Recycling Facility, operated by Resource Rcovery Solutions and located on Puhi Road in Līhu‘e, does take care of much of the island’s metal recycling needs.

It accepts items such as abandonded, untaxed, derelict and junked motor vehicles as well as appliances, scrap metal, scooters and other small motorized goods, automobile batteries and more.

Some island residents commenting on the county’s Facebook post see the illegal dumping problem only getting worse as other rubbish ramifications arise, no matter the public’s vigilance with reporting trashy situations.

“Wait until the landfill is maxed out,” commented Casildo Quiroz.