“Majority” on Maui Still Violating Uncovered Truck Law

By David Kvasnicka

A police officer confronts a driver over an unsecured load on his truck during a 2010 demonstration. Courtesy file photo.

As Malama Maui Nui prepare for another mass clean-up campaign on July 19, the community group said that the main source of litter by Maui roadways — unsecured vehicle loads — was thanks to drivers breaking the “uncovered truck law.”

The previous “uncovered truck law” demonstration held at the Central Maui landfill on June 28 found that of 307 vehicles that came to the landfill, 233 — or 75% — were found to be in violation of the uncovered truck law over a three hour period, according to Malama.

In Hana on that same day, they said, 18 of 32 (56%) vehicles were in violation.

However, it’s at least an improvement over a 2011 figure when the group found that 137 of 153 vehicles — or 90% — were breaking the law.

Malama spokesperson Jen Cox says the group hopes to educate residents of the safety and environmental hazards that occur when rubbish and other debris fly out of uncovered truck beds and onto Maui County roadways.

The community group’s volunteers (formerly known as “Community Work Day”) are often seen around Maui, particularly by roads and beaches, picking up trash. They claim to have collected 82,700 pounds of litter along Maui roadways in 2013.

Hawai‘i Revised Statutes 291C-131 designates that any vehicle traveling on a highway must have its load secured to prevent any piece of that load from escaping the vehicle.

Officers Kamuela Mawae and Kean Uyehara accompanied Malama road crew staffer Joshua Bajadali at the Central Maui landfill June 28 demonstration. Malama staffer Kaulana Saltiban attended the Hāna landfill demonstration.

First-time violators can expect a fine of $250 to $500, leading up to $500 and $750 plus suspension of vehicle registration and/or license for five to 10 working days for second violations. Further violations can result in registration and license suspensions for 30 days and fines up to $1,000.

Because it was a demonstration, no-one was cited this time, said Malama.