HC&S Cited for “Fugitive Dust Violation”

HC&S Puʻunēnē Mill. Photo by Wendy Osher.

The Hawaii State Department of Health Clean Air Branch today announced that it issued Notices and Findings of Violations and Orders against four facilities in the state including Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Company on Maui.

HC&S was cited for an alleged “fugitive dust violation” that department officials say occurred on Dec. 13, 2014.

DOH officials say the alleged violation was documented and confirmed through photographic evidence provided by a third party witness.

HC&S operates a sugar cane refinery and plantation at Puʻunēnē on Maui.

A penalty of $3,300 has been assessed.

HC&S may request a hearing to contest the violation and penalty fees.

Other Notices and Findings of Violations and Orders were issued against: Hawaiʻi BioEnergy AlgaeCo, LLC; the City and County of Honolulu, Department of Environmental Services; and Bolton, Inc.

Hawaiʻi BioEnergy AlgaeCo, LLC aka Hawaiʻi BioEnergy, LLC was cited for a late submittal of a 2013 monitoring report on their algae farm in Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi. The violation was noted during an April 22, 2014 annual inspection and a fine of $1,700 has been paid.

The City and County of Honolulu, Department of Environmental Services was cited for violations that occurred at its Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant operated by Synagro. Alleged violations included: failure to operate a waste gas burner and pilot light; failure to conduct monthly certified visible emission observations; and open burning. A fine of $17,400 has been issued and a consent order is being negotiated.

Bolton, Inc., was cited for late submittal of a 2013 report and for not conducting its 2013 annual source performance test for its 475 TPH portable stone processing plant located in Kailua-Kona on the Island of Hawaiʻi. A fine of $5,800 has been issued and a consent order is being negotiated.