Hawai‘i Petroleum facing fines for underground storage tank violations in Ka‘ū

Hawai‘i Petroleum, a limited liability company, was issued a notice of violation by the state for violating underground storage tank laws and is facing a fine of $27,500.

According to the state Department of Health, a state inspector confirmed on April 29, 2024, that the company had installed and was operating two underground storage tanks: one 10,000-gallon tank and one 10,000-gallon compartmentalized tank, both installed at the Ka‘ū business Kamakani Store in December 2023.

However, according to a press release from the state department, the necessary notification and permitting for those tanks was not completed until August 2024.

The DOH Underground Storage Tank Section regulates underground storage tanks, which store petroleum or hazardous substances, by conducting operational compliance inspections from time to time after installation. Routine inspections determine if an underground storage tank system is being maintained properly to prevent releases of regulated substances into the environment.

Hawai‘i Petroleum is facing the following violations:

• Failure to obtain an Underground Storage Tank permit from the department before installation and operation of the tank systems.
• Failure to notify the department at least seven days before the installation of the tank systems.
• Failure to notify the department within 30 days after the installation of the tank systems.

Hawai‘i Petroleum has 20 days from the date of receipt of the Notice of Violation and Order to submit a written request for a hearing, or the violation will become final and enforceable after the 20 days.