16 Hawaii Companies Cited by Clean Air Branch

File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Sixteen Hawai’i companies were cited for air permit and pollution violations by the state Department of Health, Clean Air Branch.

The violations were either self-reported or discovered during record inspection by the DOH between March 2011 and May 2012.

A total of nearly $80,000 in penalties was imposed, the largest of which was $25,000, assessed against Hawaiian Electric Light Company in part for exceeding the ammonia emission limit. The violation was self reported.

To date, DOH officials say $63,700 in fines has been paid, with the balance of penalties under negotiation or pending payment.

The Clean Air Branch is tasked with reviewing and approving air permits, evaluating and enforcing state and federal air standards, conducting inspections, and investigating reported incidents related to outdoor air quality.

Through the air permit process, the DOH ensures companies comply with state and federal emission standards to minimize air pollution impacts on the public.

All fines are paid into a revolving special fund used to prevent or minimize damage to the environment.

The following is a list provided by the Department of Health of the companies that were cited and the alleged violations:

• Up to Date Cleaners Kauai, Inc. (Koloa, Kauai) was cited for allegedly operating a dry cleaning machine without a valid air permit. The violation was discovered during a DOH inspection and a penalty of $3,900 was paid.
• Tesoro Hawaii Corporation (Campbell Industrial Park, Oahu) was cited for failing to conduct a 2011 relative accuracy test audit on the cogeneration unit gas turbine nitrogen oxides continuous emissions monitoring system.  The violation was discovered during a DOH records review and a penalty of $2,200 was paid.
• Edwin Deluz Trucking and Gravel, LLC, (Hamakua, Island of Hawaii) was cited for failing to conduct the 2010 annual performance tests on its diesel engine generator and on its stone quarrying plant located at the Kapoaula Quarry. The violations were discovered during a DOH annual inspection and a penalty of $8,000 was assessed. A consent order for $5,000 is being drafted for the fine after additional information was given to the DOH regarding the violations.
• Hawaii Electric Light Company, Inc., for exceeding the ammonia 3-hour average emission limit in March 2011 on a combustion turbine generator unit. Also, two combustion turbine generator units allegedly exceeded visible emission limits in April and November 2011. Violations were self-reported, and a penalty of $25,600 was paid for the violations.  A consent order is being drafted for an additional $8,000 fine.
• Grace Pacific Corporation, (Eleele, Kauai) for failing an October 2011 particulate matter performance test on its asphalt plant. The violation was self-reported and a penalty of $4,000 was paid.
• Koga Engineering & Construction, Inc., (Hawaii island) for failing to submit the January to June 2011 semi-annual report within 60 days after the end of the semi-annual calendar period. The report was submitted 142 days late. A penalty of $2,400 was paid.
• American Hauling, LLC, (Waialua, Oahu) for various air permit violations discovered during an annual DOH inspection. A penalty of $7,000 has been assessed for the violations and a partial payment of $3,500 was received. A consent order is being drafted for additional violations.
• Michael Lurvey dba Carbon Diversion, Inc., (Campbell Industrial Park on Oahu) for various air permit violations discovered during an annual DOH inspection. A penalty of $3,400 was paid.
• Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd., (Lawai, Kauai) for submitting its semi-annual monitoring reports late.  The violation was discovered during a DOH inspection and a penalty of $1,700 was paid.
• Hawaii Pacific Health, Wilcox Memorial Hospital, (Lihue, Kauai) for exceeding its 12-month limit of diesel fuel oil consumption. The violation was discovered during a DOH inspection of the hospital’s diesel engine, boilers and pathological waste incinerator, and a penalty of $1,200 was paid.
• ShredCo, LLC, (Kaumualii, Kauai) for submitting its semi-annual monitoring reports late.  A $1,500 penalty was paid.
• Twin Bridge Farms LLC, for open burning of cardboard in Waialua, Oahu.  The fire was investigated by the Honolulu Fire Department on Feb. 21, 2012, and the company has paid a penalty of $2,300.
• Aloha Petroleum, Ltd., (Honolulu, Oahu) for late submittal of a source performance test report. A penalty of $2,100 was paid.
• Ameron Hawaii, (Kapaa Quarry, Oahu) for not conducting monthly visible emissions observations on various baghouses. The violations were discovered during an annual DOH inspection of the facility, and a penalty of $5,200 was paid.
• Halo Halo, Hawaii, LLC dba Al Phillips Dry Cleaners, (Kailua, Oahu) for various air permit violations on its petroleum dry cleaning facility. A penalty of $7,100 was assessed for the violations and a partial payment of $2,600 was received. A payment plan has been negotiated for remaining penalty amount.
• Tradewinds Forest Products, LLC, (Ookala, Island of Hawaii) for late submittal of various reports required by its air permit.  A penalty of $1,600 was paid.