Pūlama Lāna‘i and Maui Electric Company Cited for Air Permit Violations

The Hawai‘i Department of Health Clean Air Branch has issued Notices and Findings of Violation and Orders against six companies including Pūlama Lāna‘i and Maui Electric Company in Maui County.

Lāna‘i Resorts, LLC, doing business as Pūlama Lāna‘i in Lāna‘i City, was cited for not conducting their annual source performance tests on its asphalt concrete batch plant and diesel engine generator. The DOH says the violations were determined from an inspection and record reviews. The company has since paid a fine of $31,300.

Maui Electric Company, Ltd. in Kahului on Maui was cited for exceeding the visible emission limits on their combustion turbine generator, units M14 and M17, diesel engine generator unit M14 at the Māʻalaea generating station. The violations were determined during a routine review of their records. The company was fined $19,900 and is currently negotiating a settlement with the DOH.

Maui Electric Company Māʻalaea generation station. PC: file by Wendy Osher.

Other violations and orders across the state included the following:

Edwin DeLuz Trucking & Gravel, LLC in Waimea on Hawai’i Island was cited for operational, maintenance of equipment and late submittal of reports. The violations were discovered from an inspection and review of their records. The company was fined $6,300 and is currently negotiating a settlement with the DOH.

Hawai‘i Electric Light Company, Inc. in Kailua-Kona on Hawai’i Island was cited for exceeding their visible emission limit on the Keahole combustion turbine generator, CT-4. The violation was determined from a review of their records. The company was fined $11,200 and is currently negotiating a settlement with the DOH.

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, Kapaia Power Station on Kaua‘i was cited for nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide exceedances. The violations were self-reported, and the company was fined $22,800. The company is currently negotiating a settlement with the DOH.

Water Resources International, Inc., in Honolulu on O‘ahu was cited for late submittal of annual fees and semi-annual reports. The violations were discovered during a review of their records. The company was fined $7,200 and is currently negotiating a settlement with the DOH.

In general, fines are assessed to remove any economic benefit a company may have gained by not complying with their permit requirements. All fines are paid into a revolving fund that helps prevent or minimize damage to the environment.

All those responsible have or had the option to request a hearing to contest their alleged violations and penalties.