Pahoa Business Cited for Permit-Less Operations

Sanford’s Service Center, Inc. was issued a Notice of Violation and Order by the Hawai’i State Department of Health for operating a solid waste management facility without a state permit.

According to the DOH, the violation occurred at the Sanford facility in Pahoa, where the company had accepted and disposed of more than 8,000 tons of green waste since 2004.

Construction and demolition waste was also accepted at the facility in 2013 without a permit.

The DOH says the green waste at the site poses an environmental hazard because of the risk of vectors and fire.

In August 2014, state solid waste statutes were suspended because of severe weather from Hurricane, turned Tropical Storm, Iselle. The company, therefore, was not cited for violations from Aug. 6 through Aug. 15.

A $25,000 penalty was imposed by the DOH following an investigation of the site that took place in 2014. The facility also must stop the acceptance of solid waste, implement a corrective action plan for accumulated green waste, and remove and properly dispose of all construction and demolition waste.

DOH officials say the penalty was paid by Sanford and a plan to correct violations was also submitted.

In an effort to prevent pollution of the drinking water supply or waters of the state, prevent air pollution, prevent the spread of disease and the creation of nuisances, protect public health and safety, conserve natural resources, and preserve and enhance the beauty and quality of the environment, the Solid Waste Section of the Department of Health regulates standards that govern the design, construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of solid waste disposal, recycling, reclamation, and transfer-systems.