Image courtesy of Web Life
“At last the garbage reached so high
That finally it touched the sky.” — Shel Silverstein, “Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout”
Be apprised, due to budget cuts there are some Hawaii County transfer stations due to have altered schedules. In my own district of Puna, two out of four transfer stations are set to be open only three days a week. They are in Glenwood (to be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Tuesday and Friday) and Kalapana (to be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday, Thursday and Saturday.) The Pahoa and Kea’au transfer stations will remain open daily.
Knowing illegal dumping exists now despite 23 free transfer stations open daily, I can only anticipate the trash piles go grow in rural areas with these altered transfer stations schedules.
I think you better check out the schedule, if you haven’t already. It is posted on the Mayor’s Office website here. In summation, Glenwood, Kalapana, Honomū, Ke’ei, Laupāhoehoe, Pa‘auilo, Pāhala, Pāpa‘ikou, Puakō, Volcano, and Waiea are to see altered schedules come Dec. 1.Reading through the schedule, I can only imagine those not educated on the schedule coming upon a locked transfer station gate with a load of trash. Knowing not where else to go and desiring to rid themselves of their packed opala, these people will seek out a remote, rural place to make an immediate disposal.
Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout image courtesy of Arab Tubbe
I am reminded of a favorite poem from my childhood, “Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout,” by Shel Silverstein.
“Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout
Would not take the garbage out.
She’d wash the dishes and scrub the pans
Cook the yams and spice the hams,
And though her parents would scream and shout,
She simply would not take the garbage out.
And so it piled up to the ceiling:
Coffee grounds, potato peelings,
Brown bananas and rotten peas,
Chunks of sour cottage cheese.
It filled the can, it covered the floor,
It cracked the windows and blocked the door,
With bacon rinds and chicken bones,
Drippy ends of ice cream cones,
Prune pits, peach pits, orange peels,
Gloppy glumps of cold oatmeal,
Pizza crusts and withered greens,
Soggy beans, and tangerines,
Crusts of black-burned buttered toast,
Grisly bits of beefy roast.
The garbage rolled on down the halls,
It raised the roof, it broke the walls,
I mean, greasy napkins, cookie crumbs,
Blobs of gooey bubble gum,
Cellophane from old bologna,
Rubbery, blubbery macaroni,
Peanut butter, caked and dry,
Curdled milk, and crusts of pie,
Rotting melons, dried-up mustard,
Eggshells mixed with lemon custard,
Cold French fries and rancid meat,
Yellow lumps of Cream of Wheat.
At last the garbage reached so high
That finally it touched the sky,
And none of her friends would come to play,
And all of her neighbors moved away;
And finally, Sarah Cynthia Stout
Said, “Okay, I’ll take the garbage out!”
But then, of course it was too late,
The garbage reached across the state,
From New York to the Golden Gate;
And there in the garbage she did hate
Poor Sarah met an awful fate
That I cannot right now relate
Because the hour is much too late
But children, remember Sarah Stout,
And always take the garbage out.”
Happy piling!
November 8th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
2 years ago we could go to the dump 24/7…then “they” said contractors were illegally dumping construction waste into the transfer stations and therefore they would need to reduce the hours…”they” did(instead of mandating restrictions on contractors to require dumpsters).
Now they intend on closing the “convenience”(county term) stations during peek commute hours and open the “convenience” station during banking hours only 9 am to 4 pm…but our county has gone one step further to add to our convenience…it has reduced the number of days the “convenience” stations will be open (mine WAIEA will open Monday-Thursday-Saturday).
It begs the question…
My transfer (aka convenience) station hauls 2 full containers daily FROM the station. Reducing the number of days does NOT equate to less garbage so…the county will need to haul a minimum of 4-5 full loads per day JUST from WAIEA when it is open Monday-Thursday-Saturday.
Before I go off to recycle my rubbish I thought I’d share a few of the county’s ideas for those having difficulty with “their” plan.
1) recycle (the success of voluntary recycling has dumbfounded the county already.
2) Go to a transfer station with longer hours (for me that’s 24 ADDITIONAL miles one-way over the 12 miles one way I already drive to reach my “convenience” station.
3) Hire a private hauler (this is “their” game, to make mandatory curbside pickup, even for the rural chumps like me where a pick would never be made but I would be required to hire as part of a property tax bill…just you wait and see)
4) ASK YOUR NEIGHBOR OR FRIEND TO HAUL IT FOR YOU (I left the best for last but I am NOT making this up)
“We” know what’s going to happen. There will be 100% increase in rubbish on the roads, in the ditches and in and out of view of ourselves and the tourists we require for jobs but obviously the solid waste department is still working under the Bobby Jean Leithead Todd (now are county planner…go figure) failed solid waste program of don’t plan ahead…it worked so swell for her incinerator plan that she got promoted to plan for the entire county’s future now.
November 8th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
When the gates close at Keaau no one bothers to go anywhere else the dump in front of the gate, so the kitties can tear the bags apart.
Best dumps going now? Refirigerator alley, Wawa Rd. from the south side, just past the last few houses on the paved rd. 500 ft down the dirt road and there appliances, cars and bags of household waste.
When the Planing Department allows dumping of a lot full of Albizias on to the vacant neighboring lot, by the ton, who cares? The county?
Try call the police and report illegal dumping.
Even if you have pictures they do nothing.
November 8th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Man, people on the Mainland can’t believe we live in a place that does not have municipal garbage collection. What we accept around here!
November 8th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Oh, and I wish I took a picture, but one of the guys who was starting a private garbage pick up here in HPP, I saw him down on the red road dumping it all on a weekend into the Kalapana container.
You think anyone would prosecute that case?
November 8th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Ahh haaa!!!
1. Bobbie Jean took over for Barb Bell at E.M. with what I believe was one marching order from Harry Kim, fight for the incinerator!
She did just that and was a good soldier, and I think she is a good fit for planning but that’s just my view as a person that dealt with her on several occasions.
2. This 9-4 stuff is crap, I bet it has something to do with the union contracts but you want to cut hours that is fine with me, make it 12-7, for 11-6…but 9-4 come on give me a break
November 8th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
People in my neck of this banana republic go to work and pass the transfer station early…by 8 am the majority of workers coming from Ocean View, Miloli’i, Honomolino, Papa Bay, 3rd Lava flow, 2nd lava flow,Kona Paradise, 1st Lava flow, Ho’okena and Kealia going north are already at work…an hour or two BEFORE the transfer station would even be open. After work most workers going south would NOT pass the transfer station going home until AFTER 4 pm (who’d want to have their rubbish in their car all day anyway?) …likely not passing until 4:30, 5:00 or 6:00 pm…
Let’s get real here. I already live 12 miles from my inconvenience station. When they cut back hours there was hardly a peep of discontent. They put up fences and hired guards because they said a few abused the privilege (they blamed the contractors but it could have been anyone). There was a significant increase in rubbish on the sides of the road and off the main roads you could find evidence of much evidence of dumping.
They started the recycling and found they couldn’t even keep up with the amount that people VOLUNTARILY brought in…even though people like Boobby Jean didn’t make it known her incinerator program REQUIRED 65% recycling in order for the incinerator to be successful…Now we don’t even have 30%(“they” say) but the recycling bins are always full AND we continue ship the recycled OFF ISLAND with little reuse here…
They want to cut back on hours for people to drop of their waste…really their recyclables, because that’s what the waste people feel it is and make it INCONVENIENT for working people to utilize the transfer sites.
There is just going to be more rubbish on the roads and off the roads. Their own people know this from just the cut back from 24/7 of two years ago there’s been an increase in litter but “they” don’t seem to care.
“They” have a plan and it ain’t a convenient one for “us”.
November 8th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
I again would like to mention that the incinerator was NOT Bobbie Jeans program, it was Harry Kim’s do any of you guys ever get “marching orders” at work tat you may not like but you follow?
November 8th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
And what was Bobby Jean’s excuse for not following the plan to NOT build an incinerator by solid waste committee and also not even having ANY Plan B for expansion of the Hilo Landfill ….you can be made to follow marching orders by your own choice but if you’re a professional you better act like it. Bobby Jean was supposed to be “our” professional and hid the 65% recycling requirement for the landfill,not adding the recycling cost to any incinerator plan costs, failed to even study Hilo expansion and did little to foster recycling without pressure from the public…
No Booby Jean doesn’t get to skate on responsibility to the public for which she served and to which she failed.
Bobby Jean’s current position is demonstrating the same lack of vision and future planning that was exhibited in prior positions. Sorry much of this transfer and solid waste mess was begun on Bobby Jean’s watch and we the public are saddled with those same failed policies Bobby Jean oversaw
November 9th, 2009 at 7:14 am
WE build nothing due to fear. Toxic ash is easier to control and ship. The positives outway the negatives. We can create power, rebar ith our recycled plaxtic and metal. Why aren’t we? A rational concern about toxic sldge. The question is? Is dumping trash everywhere more detrimental than shipping toxic ash. No!
November 9th, 2009 at 8:59 am
How about curbside containers and recycling bins, like the civilized world has? I keed, I keed. In the first place, it would require curbs.
November 9th, 2009 at 9:12 am
The State and County and their “friends” (contractors,developers, etc.) have driven up the cost of living, building, farming, and at the same time driven down the quality of life. This is just the latest example
of their mindset.
Did you hear today that the State Department of Taxation is requiring all vendors who do more than 5 sales per day to buy a cash register so they more easily collect taxes?
Good for our farmers markets no doubt, among others.
How about those State Ag inspectors that were eliminated?
And then of course there is the DOE.
And the County Council Follies.
It would be a comical farce if it were not so idiotic and painful.
November 9th, 2009 at 9:30 am
But I do agree with Brian’s point about technophobia and in essence, ignorance.
Is that your point Brian?
November 9th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Well, I think we can all agree that we’re in an awful fix.
November 9th, 2009 at 9:53 am
since we’re talking trash and taxes let go back in time just 100 years.
1909
Here are some statistics for the Year 1909 : ************ ********* *********
The average life expectancy was 47 years.
Fuel was sold in drug stores only.
Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles, of paved roads.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph. The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!
The average wage in 1909 was 22 cents per hour.
The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year .. A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year,
A dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME.
Ninety percent of all doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!
Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND the government as ’substandard.
‘ Sugar cost four cents a pound!
Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from
entering into their country for any reason.
Five leading causes of death were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke
The American flag had 45 stars.
The population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was only 30!!!! Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn’t been invented yet.
There was no Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.
Two out of every 10 adults couldn’t read or write and
Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school..
Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacists said, ‘Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health’
Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.
There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE ! US.A.!
Plus one more sad thought; 95 percent of the taxes we have now did not exist in 1909
Try to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years
IT STAGGERS THE MIND
November 9th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Indeed. My mind is all staggered, but I don’t really get the point. Do you think it was better then? Or is the worry that we will have to pay more taxes in 100 years?
I am so confused.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
We can all sit on our butts and write complaining comments about decisions made by people who are ’supposed’ to be in charge and ’supposed’ to be dealing with these issues, but that’s not doing anything to help the problem. Let’s put our heads together to become an effective force on the problem.
How about we all take pictures of the worst dump spots we know of and make it public? Start a site with the pics and report on each site, documenting complaints made to police and what, if any, actions have been taken. What if we each championed a dump site of our choosing, making ourselves responsible, and joining together to become more and more effective; raising awareness and collaborating to clean up the dump sites with volunteers and monies created through grants and donations for the groups efforts? This is an issue that is long overdue. You don’t keep beating your head against a brick wall expecting the result to be different, right? At the end of each of our roads in Fern Forest and even along the sides of all the roads, DUMPS. Stolen cars that have been stripped. How about some action… Make our own signs… “Dumpers: This area is now under surveillance. Dumping is illegal and will be prosecuted.” This is definitely a problem that I am passionate about, and I know many others that are too. Let’s come up with a different plan and force different results.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Solid waste policy in this county is driven by the Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan as well as federal (EPA) and state (DOH) regulations and rules.
The ISWMP is adopted by the County Council and is currently up for revision and will be going to the Council for adoption in the near future.
The decision to gate the transfer stations was made some time ago around 2003 to 2005 in response to DOH concerns that that county was not supervising the handling of trash at the stations enough. It was also done to stop illegal dumping of hazardous waste as well as vandalism as at least two containers had been set on fire, there were a couple of incidents of people falling into the containers as well as other problems.
The current cut back on hours is in part driven by budgetary concerns. the transfers stations are currently opened and closed by hired security guards at a cost of $800,000 per year. By reducing hours and closing some transfer stations on alternate days, the county will be able to do the work with existing employees who work a 10 hour, 4 day schedule.
Because employees work a 10 hour shift and report to work at their respective baseyards where they pickup their vehicles, it is not possible to open transfer stations for as many hours as was done in the past with the hired security guards.
As for the waste-to-energy proposal, that was a result of the prior ISWMP, and an RFP issued at the direction of the council (request for proposal) that was issued by the county and was in direct response to directions to the department that they were to come up with a waste-to-energy/alternative to the landfill, achieve maximum waste reduction, and avoid/reduce trucking to Pu`uanahulu and not build a new landfill.
The problem with finding an alternative that is affordable for the county is that although we have a lot of trash, it is not really enough to achieve the per ton cost that a much larger facility can deliver.
Additionally, although for many years proponents of alternative technologies have made many claims as to the amount of energy, the cost per ton and waste reduction, very few have actually demonstrated a proven ability to process municipal solid waste.
The landfill and transfer stations were at one time open 365 days a year, then closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. When these three days were implemented there was a lot of criticism from the public but over time people have adjusted to this change. It is hoped that the public will adjust to the new hours being put into place.
Under the “Konno” decision, the County cannot contract for services “historically and customarily” done by civil servants, unless the state legislature enacts a specific exemption for such contracts. the County lobbied for such authority but was unsuccessful.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Thanks for the inspiration, Mel. I’m driving through the Acres photographing some of my most bothersome sites.
I invite folks to email me pictures of their most often seen illegal dump sites, identifying where exactly they are located. We’ll put together a pictorial.
Email newswoman@mac.com. Mahalo.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
“Dumpers: This area is now under surveillance. Dumping is illegal and will be prosecuted.”
Nice sentiment, really difficult to accomplish.
I totally agree with you Melissa, but have you experienced the police responding to any dumping calls?
Know of any prosecutions for illegal dumping?
Even with a State Attorney General Agent flying to the BI to see ONE lot I reported,(after a dozen and a half letters and complaints on island EPA to Kim), all that happens is the guy is told to clean it up. He only did a half/a*s job and there was no follow up so there is still junk in the bushes, you just can’t see it.
You want pictures, videos, tmk numbers, addresses, letters to local county and city officials filled with retoric? I’ve got a thick file, I’ll share it with you.
Best of luck.
November 9th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
In 1909, our biggest waste-related public health problems were horse manure on the streets, a serious vector for typhoid, and blood coughed up by those afflicted with T.B., which is the genesis of “no spitting on the sidewalk” laws.
So children, remember Sarah Stout —
and always take the garbage out. (the late Shel Silverstein)
November 9th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Of course once upon a time the transfer stations did not lock up and cost $800,000 to operate.
It will be interesting to see the effect of the new priorities.
The present one seems to be money oriented and serves the need of the county. The previous one was community oriented and served the needs of the communities.
November 9th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
I really like the idea of a portfolio.
Get GPS? If so, then mark the coordinate and include that information in the portfolio.
One idea that has been around and gone nowhere is for the Dept of Environmental Management to have an ‘Investigator’ for illegal dumping.
In fact, a bit of looking into a bag of dumped trash can often result in finding a name and address. We’ve done it. And, by the way, we did call the police on that one and they did come check it out. A much tougher authority sent the dumper back to the site clean it up — his wife!
November 9th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
hpp – That’s my point, really… we have to put the pressure on to have the police, or other enforcement, respond. One way of doing that is to not let it remain hidden in the bush anymore, litterally or metaphorically, all puns intended. A site where individual problem locations are photographed, discussed and efforts documented, as well as the lack of the police in doing anything about it after a formal complaint has been made. That would be a start toward this. They’ll get tired of the bad press, aggravated at the jerk-faced dumpers and they’ll start charging.
“Know of any prosecutions for illegal dumping?” Nope. Let’s start one.
Precedence needs to be set to enforce that it isn’t okay. Back in the 80’s I remember it being socially accepted to throw trash out the window in our small town in Maine. It took people coming together to raise awareness that, NO, it was NOT OKAY. I think here, the jungle covers lots of things fast, so it’s out of sight, out of mind. There’s also the lack of a large and affordable salvage yard for people to take their junk cars to if they want the option of using the parts later on.
There’s many parts to the problem, but number one is getting active and putting it right out there for everyone to see, through pics and documenting our efforts on all the illegal junkyards we can, and not letting its enforcement keep getting pushed to the back ground. Once precedence gets set and adopted by communities at large, once dumpers begin to realize it’s not okay anymore, then the enforcement will get easier and easier.
“You want pictures, videos, tmk numbers, addresses, letters to local county and city officials filled with retoric? I’ve got a thick file, I’ll share it with you.”
I don’t want it, I’ve got enough of that! But I DO want to help get it onto a public site where it’s doing something toward the problem. I’m off to take some pics~ I’ll send them your way soon, Tiffany.
November 9th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
WELL HERE YOU GO. You need only to load your pictures to one of those balloons on google earth. Still shots even a year old show the guy with the 6+ dead cars on his lot, in violation of the over 5, violation, and if I can see it so can the county.
Ah, but county employees not supposed to go online at work? eh?
A trash bag in the middle of my road that fell out of someone’s trunk, had needles and his hospitial I.D wrist tag. With photographs and a name all they(the PD) do is take a report.
A friend just bought a house down the road from me and this plumber, Larry, said he’d break up a concrete slab and get rid of it. Before 2 weeks after close escrow.
He did, on the lot next door, I step in it,I say, “nah ah, we don’t do it lydat!” ,He say, “Whaucha mean?” I said, ” now you can go back in those bushes where you tossed it all into virgin forest and bring it out”, talking to my back he was trying to say it was no big deal, but said he’d bring it out. When I go back to check, they’d tossed alot of it out even further into the bushes, Because I walked the lot, duh.
So I call him to meet me over there to SHOW him why (he’s a horse’s a*s) this isn’t malama opuna my aina boy, and I reached into the bushes and pulled out a “bear claw” a hunk of concrete with 4 reinforcement wires sticking out, guaranteed to rip your shins. This time do it right and quit making a fool of yourself.
After he’s gone and I go look around some more. I find the old gas tank from the stove, the water filter system he ripped out, lots of pvc, the TV antenna, 5 gallon paint buckets, paint rollers and all his “renovation” FLIPPER work refuse. Says he’s from Lake Elsinore, “in Calilifonia”, yea via Tulsa.
What do you do with a bum like that sue him?
File a criminal complaint with the Keaau PD?
Call a pick of 20 country offices that will either tell you to call someone else, say I don’t know or leave you on a loop recording. If you get someone who will give you there name, they’ll get back to you, but never do.
I wanted to take the accumulated debris he had his worker toss into the jungle foilage to hide, over to his house elsewhere in the Park and drop it off in his driveway, but I took it to Keaau for his sorry hillybilly, lying arse instead.
I’ll send ya some pictures……….
November 9th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Rob–
Of course it’s “money oriented”–that’s what this is all about. The county doesn’t have enough money to continue doing everything it has in the past.
You know that.
If we want to continue the level of services the county has provided, we’re going to have to go to the council and ask them to raise our property taxes. Are you ready to do that?
Or are you going to run for the council and offer measures for cuts in other areas?
November 9th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
For the police to do anything you must prove to them FIRST that the person or person actually threw the litter into the area (you just never know when someone is going to steal your trash and throw it in a ditch).
Then the county prosecutors’ office has to be convinced there is grandstanding to be had, then and only then will there be action taken but the idea that the county is going to do ANYTHING is laughable.
The fact the county workers are on 10 hours shifts should allow for extended hours instead of shortened hours! 4 workers could open every transfer station and a different 4 workers could close those stations IF the county would get a union concession or memo of understanding to start a shift early or end it late…there are many employees that would jump at differential pay to add to their salaries.
Take your pictures, Google earth the waste dump sites, but be prepared…there will be the first token headline grabbing clean-ups(like the abandoned cars) by the county, then it will be business as usual AND the transfer stations will still remain closed more often than they are open. The rubbish will continue to accumulate on the roadsides because basically people really want convenience but when it is deigned, they resort to the worst while the well meaning continue to carry the burden of less service at a greater cost…speaking of which…the $2/bag thing is still a real possibility…maybe a two prong advance(sic) mandatory curbside for those on county roads AND $2-4 per bag to use the transfer station. Whaddathink?
Remember, 2 years ago there were no guards, no fences and no $800k in expense to cover said costs. Remember the “convenience” of 24/7 availability then…now
Well, get use to it. Until we change this negligent administration (That’s you Headbutt, the Harry clone) full of more of the same crappy governance and department heads, we will see no change. A little civil disobedience is in order come December 1 though…this transfer idea is really really bad and really really stupid.
They will move to “curbside” pick-up, requiring every residence and business to be serviced by a licensed hauler but because we live in Hawaii the hauler will be only required to actually drive on county approved roads and those NOT on county approved roads will continue to carry their rubbish to the transfer stations (with reduced hours) but will still be charged a waste fee (tax) to run the program (the greater good so to speak)…
You may think this is fantasy (nightmare really) but many communities have gone this route, that’s why companies like Waste Management are so lucrative, they come in, undercut the local haulers then when it is cost prohibitive for start-ups they sky rocket the rates as the only game in town.
November 9th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Mike, There might just be another way…
What about this? Instead of locking up the transfer stations for various days to save money and then opening them during hours when people are at work one alternative might be to open them for four hours each morning 6-10am and another four hours each afternoon 2-6pm.
It might just save money AND result in a schedule people could live with.
Without meeting the real life schedules of the community I am afraid that saving $300 grand will merely create a $500 grand problem to clean up on the side of the road….. but oh yeah, that would be the problem of Transportation Department, not Waste Management.
November 9th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Rob–
I think it’s a great idea. But how do you get the union to agree to a split shift? My guess is they’d want the county to pay for a 12-hour shift, with four hours of it as overtime.
There’s really no easy answer when it all comes down to not enough money in the county coffers.
How many transfer stations were there 10 years ago? Maybe they should just close all the ones added since 1999….not.
If it weren’t for the pesky unions a whole lot of things would be easier to deal with.
November 9th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
It’s about SOLUTIONS, PEOPLE. Not griping or giving up before we’ve begun. This is just not a laughing matter. Nor is it doing any good to keep pointing fingers. Let’s clean it up starting at the psyche of the dumpers. Hit ‘em with fines, hit ‘em with jail time, hit ‘em with consequences. Grass roots spread quickly. We begin by exposing it all on a huge scale, and systematically.
November 9th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Mike,
With all due respect if you take an attitude that it can’t be done then guess what? It can’t be done.
I come from the school of ‘Where there’s a will there’s a way’.
November 9th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
I think you’re on to something with the times, Rob. But then, that would add two points that workers would need to be there to close and open the stations, right? Why not just get surveillance at each site to be sure that illegal waste could be tracked? At 800k a year for the current system, seems we should be able to figure a way to do that and then keep the stations open all day and night…
November 9th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Mel: I share your idealism, but I can also imagine the bags of trash piling up at the closed transfer station gates when the Solid Waste Division resorts to banking hours or closes the transfer stations aka convenience stations altogether on days the public is used to them being open.
I got to tell you, we do need to “start at the psyche of the dumpers” and yes, yes, yes, hit ‘em with fines, jail time and consequences. I do not know what is going on with the police and the prosecutors that they are talking themselves and those who report crimes out of prosecution. It is a very real and definite problem how police are looking at cases the way the prosecutors want them to look at them, as if they are going to fail with too much reasonable doubt… I’m experiencing that with theft cases at the surf shop… There is this thinking that every case needs to be looked at as to whether or not it can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt — to the point of having no common sense.
No, someone didn’t steal his trash and dump it in a rural subdivision. Throw the illegal dumper in jail and give him a hefty fine, already!
I can just picture the police officer being told that by the prosecutor who does not want to take the case before a judge. Come on.
Meanwhile, Hawaii Nei is getting littered with animal carcasses thrown in the back of abandoned pick ups (that was one of my encounters today shooting photographs of illegal dump sites in Hawaiian Acres.)
Yes, we sure do need to hit ‘em with consequences, and maybe it’s with us in the rural areas acting like Annie Oakleys, shooting at the dead cars and refrigerators they’re trying to dump out here…
The paniola in me says, Time to get a gun and go out for some target practice!
November 9th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
“If it weren’t for the pesky unions a whole lot of things would be easier to deal with”. An understatement.
The motto and reasoning behind inefficiencies in Hawaii’s government system.
And Melissa, it’s nice to see your enthusiasm, but if we cannot get a county investigation into unfair trade practices, fraud, bid rigging (which as we speak has cost the county millions of dollars), and county prosecutors give a two year prison sentence to a father who shot his son 8 times and dumped his body off a cliff, how are we going to get the county to fine and jail litterers.
Give it a shot and write a story on how it is going after 6 months.
Trust me, I have dealt with the police ( I have a lot experience and it is “hit and miss” depending on who the detective is or commanding officer of the patrolmen you are dealing with) and it will be interesting to hear your observation after 6 months.
Don’t brush off others who want to work as a group. You should team up with others who are making this a protest issue and combine your evidence (pictures, letters, videos, tmk’s).
Good Luck
November 10th, 2009 at 8:50 am
Rob–
I’m not saying it can’t be done. But I have learned over the years to try to anticipate problems, and look for solutions ahead of time.
We’re dealing with finite amounts of money here, and the issues all have to do with how it’s spent–or raised.
aloha,
mike
November 10th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Yep, it’s another symptom, agreed. And certainly we should be able to figure a way to keep the transfer stations open without spending a trillion dollars. Anyone know if there’s any specific reasons against surveillance? We wouldn’t have to have anyone looking at the surveillance unless illegal dumping or vandalism has taken place… then it’s a matter of, again, the police charging them.
November 10th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
The problem lies in the disparity of education, why?
Those of us with ability to GOOGLE and have the time to do so are smaller in numbers than those who don’t.
And those working on the problems can’t think out side their boxes.
So until we realize EDUCATION is the MOST important of our collective social needs, we will end up with mediocre public servants who just want to get through the day and go home. They don’t care.
How does one take out the trash in local goverment?
Federal Inquisition, lol?
I’m going to go take pictures of a nasty dump for ya’ll that even posted here the county will do nothing about.
November 10th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Been down loading pictures, I took 125 and ran out of digital space but not subjects to photograph. The first few dozen have been sent to Tif. A bit later it will be cc.ed all over.
WE DEMAND, THE MAYOR’S OFFICE TAKE ACTION!!!
CHAPTER 20-22
REFUSE
http://www.co.hawaii.hi.us/countycode/chapter20.pdf
November 11th, 2009 at 9:46 am
You know what? I don’t think Puna’s in the mess it’s in because of unions. To me that just bumper sticker thinking. And everyone’s got a car in Puna and drives and drives in order to live the natural life. That’s where the money goes: for cars and gas.
Yep. Get rid of the unions and Puna will have paved roads, garbage collection, water and sewer services. Tomorrow!
November 11th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Hattie-
I don’t know if I would say “Puna’s a mess” because of unions but the unions impractical demands are not improving the standard of living for the rest of residents who are not union members (which can be pointed out in so many ways) and now the impractical demands are not improving the options for their own members.
For example, union dues paid by HGEA member are over $25 million a year for the union. Do you think the HGEA members who are being laid off and furloughed are happy that 1)the governor offered furloughs instead of layoff and their leaders decided to file suit and fight it 2) their leaders than caved in before the court hearing and decided to settle and furloughs are still in place and now there are also layoffs and 3) the state recession is worse than thought (based on projected state revenues released recently) and ther will be further furloughs, benefit cuts and layoffs.
The severity of state layoffs would have been avoided if the HGEA union leaders would have compromised on furloughs, instead of layoffs, in June instead of pushing the state to a failing economic brink. With no settlement on these issues and business as usual approach since June (with our state continuing to operate in the red for months) now the state has no choice but to make tough fiscal decisions.
And with over 4,000 private sector jobs lost in the last year in this county, a reduction in property taxes on this island, and the speculation that the county will not get it’s share of the TAT, hopefully the county will do the prudent thing and make a strong decision to make cuts.
A county budget, in my opinon, has to be projected based on revenues coming in versus expenses not the dependence on selling Hamakua land to meet the budget deficit of $8.2 million.
November 11th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Well, a lot of union members at Kulani just lost their jobs, so you won’t have to be paying for them.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
1) So should we pay for government services our tax revenues cannot afford just to keep those employed?
2) Do we do find the money by raising taxes on everyone in the state, including private sector, small businesse, etc., to keep government workers employed?
3) And what about private sector individuals and families that have experienced the burden of the recession since the initial collapse of our economy, how do we help them ? raise their taxes to ensure government employees keep their jobs?
There are no easy answers.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:10 am
To: HPP
On November 9th when I posted my response about the ISWMP, I was at home, on vacation and waitng for the plumber. Just as I am this morning trying to get my dryer fixed.
When I see posts that are about county operations and I have any pertinent information, I will post it.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
To: BJ
Do you work for the county?
I have some pictures I’d like to email them, of a ton of trash with rotting pigs included, with a Google Earth image of the location, in case the street signs are too confusing.
Better yet, GOOGLE EARTH Popaa St. in Hawaiin Beaches, now the world can see the rotting flesh mess, and you can see why I get so impassionate about this.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
LOL, hpp, I really am not sure if I should make introductions or let BJ answer your question… nevertheless, have hope we shall overcome.
Came home tonight on Nine Road to find a new dead car in my path.
You are not alone in this.
As for dead carcasses, I’m pretty sure I met a hunter making his shady disposal on my road yesterday… seeing the cooler in the passenger seat of his sedan and getting a whiff of the stench, guaranteed that was what he was doing…
We can put together our photo collage only to shed light on how pilau some people choose to be… What we need is a tow truck and a community cleanup co-op, and the time and resources.
November 13th, 2009 at 7:20 am
To be sure, Mayor Billy Kenoi does “work for the county” — or, at least, he gets paid to
Send the photos to him, here is his office email:
cohmayor@co.hawaii.hi.us
November 13th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Well it raining on all that pile of rotting pigs and cars during this current storm so more of it will leach into the ground and an acre away from the water leach into the ocean too.
If we have an EPA who can tell the Mayor to clean it up, “we” shouldn’t have to touch that toxic mess. The county has the equiptment, the manpower and it’s THEIR road!
Anyone can now send the pictures to the mayors office with out taking pictures. You can down load them off Google Earth, because it’s raining outside and I’m stuck in front of the computer. So until the power goes out…..loading pictures.
Well you gonna post some Tiff?
November 13th, 2009 at 9:52 am
James, your smarminess, winking emoticon aside, unbecomes you.
November 13th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Hpp- work up the county departments chains of command and allow these departments the oppurtunity to address the illegal dumping.
Don’t just send the mayor’s office these pictures without allowing the county departments who are responsible to address these issues the time to do so. Because if you do send the pictures to Kenoi, they’ll just kick it down to the departments anyway.
If not, James, with all due respect, show people in your district you are a man of action and deserving of your vote and make it an issue to solve.
Like Fred Blas has done in the Puna community by spending his own money and time sacrificing of himself to address issues and solve problems.
November 13th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Thanks Dave,
The “at least gets paid for it” quip, if that is our concern is levity only. It is an old one — I use it on myself, too.
The point is, the Mayor’s Office is where to send (photo)graphic evidence of this very real problem: roadside dumping.
btw: of course, send it to Councilors too …
phoffmann@co.hawaii.hi.us, dyagong@co.hawaii.hi.us, bford@co.hawaii.hi.us,
kgreenwell@co.hawaii.hi.us, dikeda@co.hawaii.hi.us, jyoshimoto@co.hawaii.hi.us, enaeole@co.hawaii.hi.us, donishi@co.hawaii.hi.us, genriques@co.hawaii.hi.us,
November 13th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Go Lakers (sure wish you used your real name — if I didn’t say this I’d be lying to you!).
First about the kicking it down to depts anyway.
Yes, that will happen.
However, if it only goes to depts, the Mayor may never know. If it gets kicked down, there is some reason to expect that the depts will need to report back to the Mayor.
Now, you’ve really called my hand on this one:
“make it an issue to solve”.
The best response would be that I will take it on as a priority, as a Council member, if you will henceforth post in your real name.
However, I agree with you, whoever you are, that stopping roadside dumping is a priority.
Hat tips all around to Fred. Like each
November 13th, 2009 at 11:17 am
As a councilmember, James, you will take it as a priority (illegl dumping) if I post my real name. Hmmm.
First, we have to see who else is running and who wins the election.
And, sorry but I don’t support those running for elected office who are pushing ultimatium’s (like posting my name which has nothing to do with the facts) in order to do the communities work.
November 13th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Thanks, Go Lakers.
As I said that would be a response.
But not the one I chose.
“ultimatum”? ouch!
November 13th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
HPP:
Yes, I work for the county. I’m sorry that you didn’t know who I am, just goes to show that I shouldn’t “assume” anything. I’m Bobby Jean Leithead Todd, curently Planning Director, formerly (for a short period of time) Director of Environmental Management, formerly a Deputy Corporation Counsel, formerly a councilmember (2nd district, elected 4 times), formerly Legislative Auditor for county and before that I worked for state legislature and Lt. Governor’s office.
In prior decades, worked as a waitress, public opinion poll taker and multiple other jobs to support family and put myself through college and law school. Also one time sort of hippie (living off grid with kerosene stove and lamps, complete with vegetable garden, outhouse and catchment), anti-war protestor and community activist. Live long enough and you go through changes, started out very liberal, went slightly conservative when I became a parent (three biological kids, three foster kids and four hanai that have lived with me at various times) and then swung back again to very liberal after Dubya took office.
(On lunch break, but I do consider it part of my job to answer questions and disseminate info.
on illegal dumping, you can email me or Lono Tyson. My email is bjltodd@co.hawaii.hi.us; Lono’s is ltyson@co.hawaii.hi.us
Whenter county can do anything aobut illegal dumping is a matter of where the dumping takes place, whether it ca be defined as a “junkyard”, whether it is in violation of SMA. Basically, it has to come under county jurisdiction, otherwise, we refer investigation to state DOH. Whether it is county jurisdiction can hinge on a number of issues.
If you have sites you want to report, email them, along with sufficient information to have us be able to find it. If it is on private property, I can refer it to my zoning inspectors to determine if a violation of the county code has taken place and then issue notices of violation. I only have four inspectors for the entire island and I have to admit that we have more complaints filed than we follow up on in a timely basis. So we generally take them in chronological order.
If the dumping is on county property, it will either get referred to DEM or DPW.
If it falls out of our jurisdiction, we will contact state for follow-up.
Sometimes, the best answer is organizing a community clean-up and working with the DEM Solid Waste Division to get approval ahead of time to waive tipping fees for the rubbish disposal.
November 13th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
mocking a spelling error? very enligtening.
so what respone would you choose based on my question?
November 13th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Yea Jamis, wat’s ur problm wit bad spellers?
And why you so plexed on getting everyone’s name down?
Because we know you are Dr.James Weatherford, that makes what you say any more valid than what I say?
Not.
Go Lakers,
I have taken many dump sites through “the chain of comand” the whole time “aina ticket” Kim was in office. He never once would make an appointment to see the pictures and videos of the wanton distruction of illegal graders still in operation. Let alone sites like these.
James,
The Day you were in court, there was another guy there complaining to the judge about it. A D-9 sits on his house pad, broke down after ripping him off.
Can’t even get the courts to help you. Slow/no action when it comes to illegal dumping.
I have a letter from ex-Chief Mahuna who wrote to me telling me that one piticular case would be civil and end up being a, “He said she said”, case. Ah. No? I have pictures of the tags of the truck they were off loading. And the pile after they left. Still nada.
It’s a joke, their response. This mess is a Federal crime as it’s is an Enviormential Waste site now. Rotting flesh and rodents scurring 100yds away from million dollar ocean front homes. I think it needs Mayoral Action and it’s allowable in (Sec. 20 Refuse)the code. Clearly states when the Mayor’s Office can get involved. And that’s on PRIVATE or PUBLIC land.
The Old Government Road Dumps is I believe a “County” road? Mayor’s Office could say clean it up, I’m not sure but that’s how I read it.
November 13th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Not sure what the spelling matter is about.
…back on topic…
Fair enough, that roadside dumping in rural Puna is a problem that deserves priority attention from someone with the responsibility to do so. The Mayor’s Administration — Police, Environmental Management, Public Works — have an important role. The current law is not being enforced. Why? Limited resources, for sure. Some, including the Prosecutor’s Office, have indicated the County Code needs amending.
If appropriate, the Council can change the law and send it to the Mayor for signature.
In cooperation with the Prosecutor’s Office and Dept of Environmental Management I once helped draft amendments to Chapter 20 ['Refuse'] of the County Code and am familiar with it. That effort focused on “illegal dumping” and “littering”. It went no where due to political games in the Council.
Would be glad to take it on again, this time as a Council member. What would be different this time? All the members who then put up obstruction are now gone. More importantly, what would make all the difference is a show of informed public support for changes.
November 13th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
I live near the forest reserve. Folks routinely dump old appliances, mainly refrigerators, old cars, and old tires. Some even throw their household trashbags there. My conclusion? Folks have no soul. None whatsoever.
November 13th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
If that’s your campagin promise it’s weak.
YOU worked on it before?
Why isn’t it working?
No Balls, no enforcement, no follow up, no prosecutions.
I just sent off the pictures to the paper and Lono Tyson who I just got off the phone with. He’s going to forward the email to the DOH.
This has been a problem long before they had locked gates at the “convience” stations. What’s more convienient than 24/7?
Can’t afford it?
And what James? “Would be glad to take it on again, this time as a Council member. What would be different this time?”
WHAT???? It CLEARLY READS WHO’S RESPONSIBLE AND WHO HAS JURISDICTION. Just no one enforces Sec.20 now as it’s written. It’s fine, it just needs to be ENFORCED!
Well let’s see what it’s going to cost to clean up the results of the current policy down there on Old Government Rd.
Anyone else come up with a better smelling, bigger site than this?
Tif, can’t you post some of these pictures I sent you?
The dryer I opened, I was praying I didn’t find a small missing child in there, thank god it was empty.
November 13th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
“Not sure what the spelling matter is about?”
Let me refresh your memory. “ultimatum?” ouch.
Is this passive aggressive sarcasm and denial?
I hope you are a little more respectful and patient with the public (Puna, which is very diverse, has a lot of locals that may not all have PH.d’s) that has questions and concerns of their potential represenative if elected to office.
“Would be glad to do it again, this time as council member.”
James, would it be too much for you to inquire now for your possible future consistuents with the “powers that be” considering your experience and networking ability before you get elected or is it this a campaign pledge you will address after the election? It is my question.
hpp- I apologize for suggesting inquiring with proper chains of command. I did not know you did your due diligence. But, it sounds like par for the course. And I am sure now they will say it is budgetary issue due to manpower.
November 13th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
GL apology excepted, and you are absoluty correct. The most used reply in all county offices I called, either didn’t know, would refer me to a different agency, or say they’d get back to me later. But it was always me getting back to them.
They really don’t, want to hear it. They would rather turn a blind eye to the poluting of their “small” island they are entrusted as state and county employees, to serve the public, begrudgingly.
It’s the attitude they give you as well if you’re insistant they do their tax paid jobs.
So then I talk with Sharron Henry,very nice,Secretary to the Director, for the County of Hawai`i
Department of Environmental Management.
And here’s what she responded,in an email, before we talked.
“I have attached additional illegal dumping information from the State Department of Health.
Hopefully this information will be useful to you.
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAN BE ACCESSED ON OUR COUNTY WEBSITE AT: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/directory/dir_envmng.htm#dir_solidwaste or the State of Hawai`i Dept. of Health website.
ILLEGAL DUMPING
If the Illegal Dump is located along the sides of the road call your local Highway Maintenance Crew at 961-8349. If you are a witness to the act of Illegal Dumping in your community or to report a dumpsite located on private property call the Police Department at 935-3311 or call the State of Hawai‘i Department of Health at 974-4000 ext. 64226 (toll free).
Illegal Dumping Poster
Illegal Dumping Notice & Directions to File a Complaint
Sharron Henry
Secretary to the Director
County of Hawai`i
Department of Environmental Management
Mailing Address: 25 Aupuni Street
Physical Address: Puainako Town Center,
2100 Kanoelehua
Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: 808.961.8083 or 808.981.8398
Fax: 808.961.8086 or 808.981.2092
Email: shenry@co.hawaii.hi.us
cohdem@co.hawaii.hi.us
http://co.hawaii.hi.us/directory/dir_envmng.htm
Hawai`i County is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”
And if you go to that website for the poster it will have a nice Poster of the State Law, and a Honolulu number to call. I evision these will be hanging on one of the dumpers livingroom walls, as they sit there laughing smoking their batu.
I was told if it ain’t in the road it’s a state problem. I can’t believe I still get different answers to the same old problem.
So Honolulu will send over an investigative team, and I guess they will come investigate that ONE spot. Why?
Because I’m making a big stink about it and will follow up when they hang up.
DISCLAIMER: If I ever submit mispelled posts, it’s not because I can’t spell. it’s because i don’t type.
November 13th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Well, Go Lakers, I’m not sure what you would have me do as a private citizen. Write a letter to the Mayor? or someone else? If that will make a difference, I’ll do it.
It is a pledge, that as a Council member I can certainly have the ability to bring it forth as a priority.
“bring it forth” may mean amending Ch 20. Some say it is fine as it is and only needs enforcing. I can relate to that sentiment. Although there are others who insist the penalties are too light.
As for ensuring enforcement of Ch 20 as it is, there is less a Council member can do: push it in budget talks; introduce a (nonbinding) Resolution to draw attention to the problem, if that seems an approach that can make a difference.
November 13th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
btw: one approach I have long advocated is that when so-called “illegal dumping” is done from a vehicle (which it virtually always is) then that vehicle is subject to being impounded, just like other crimes.
Also, when I was working on it before, I inquired to a Police Captain if other crimes, such as illegal dumping were observed from a helicopter during “marijuana eradication” missions if the Police were obliged to pursue and enforce. After some hesitation, the answer was “yes” — of course, I’ve not heard of this actually happening.
November 13th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
So What, what a bunch of B.S. and a whole lot of talk.
If Tif. will post those pictures and a half dozen of,YOU,… (public James), posters want to get down and dirty.
I have a truck, someone else out there I know has a truck and some garbage bags. And a pick/pitch fork,
(my mother didn’t raise me to be a fool)
for which I would use to go down on Sunday morning for a put up or shut, clean up.
And it’s not even my sub-division or yours. I don’t know of a site that nasty in HPP. I’ve called the police, had one reporting officer give me legal advise, “this won’t go no where” he told me. Great.
So who’s a talker? who’s a walker?
Maybe I’ll run for 5th District Council.
November 13th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Which convenience station will we take it to, hpp? That’s the spirit. Right on Sistah~~~ Sunday is crazy hectic for me already, but if you’re serious, I’ll make it a point to come help. I’ve got a truck and garbage bags too. A few shovels…
Don’t know how this became a political campaign, but I’m wondering if there aren’t grants that would put forth the money for cleanup of these sites on the Big Island. It’s been done elsewhere.
http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/news/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=546234
And here
http://www.epa.gov/waste/wycd/tribal/pdftxt/opendump.pdf
And this one is awesome:
http://www.stormwatercenter.net/Pollution_Prevention_Factsheets/IllegalDumpingControl.htm
Cleanup can be done effectively and efficiently by an organized community group, non-profit, solely geared at cleaning up sites and working to prevent future dumping. It is obviously completely ineffective to to put this to our government without some kind of group behind it that means business. The transfer station times, yes. Absolutely they should deal with that. Cleaning up the illegal dumps? Well, maybe if we are willing to wait 10-15 years to get it done…
I haven’t got my pics in yet, this rain has dampened my plans! Sounds like plenty others have though, how’s it looking Tiffany? I say, take your time so that it’s a good smackdown piece!
November 13th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
It is Friday the 13th and the witches of Puna have descended Upon Hapuna for Sistah Robi! I will post dump site photos, Sunday, hpp. I’m rejuvenating, only checking in to ensure there are no libelous comments. A Hui Hou!
November 13th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
LOL, just got an email from BJ and I knew, I knew, I just wasn’t sure.
And I did talk to Todd he said if the road isn’t blocked it’s up to the state.
He Fwd. my email and pictures to Sharron, and she to DOH.
So GREAT! I guess you guys will take care of it now that you two are aware of the site, or will be tomorrow when Tif shares.
I have my favorites but we’ll see what she picks.
Well the road has a narrow single car lane between the piles, and it is OLD GOVERNMENT ROAD, private all around but I don’t know if the county has easement rights on that road all the way through to HPP. Anyone?
BJ?
November 14th, 2009 at 8:11 am
Was tied up in Board of Appeals hearings and other meetings yesterday. Will check with DEM and Sharron on the material you sent in to coordinate follow through.
November 14th, 2009 at 8:41 am
hpp- Yeah, I agree with you. A whole lot of talk but no walk.
Puna really needs another bureaucrat to study an issue but will promise to take real action once and only if elected.
BJ is right. What may be in order is to ask the elected officials (Naeole, Hanohano,) and candidates (Weatherford, Blas) from your district to support you in the community cleanup of these roads. When these incumbents run they have major union support (sign waving, going door to door, putting signs in front yards, fundraising manpower and selling of tickets) and could easily round up their supporters to help in the cleanups. The elected or county officials may also have access to other resources (trucks, tools, garbage bags, like BJ says waiving of tipping fees to make the job more efficient). I have a strong feeling Blas will role up his sleeves and help, don’t know about the other candidates or incumbents.
I will be in my neighborhood with my next door neighbor (this morning) trying to clean our ditch (which is county property) that has gotten flooded by the rains because of the weeds and trees growing wildly in it. Tried to get the county to clean it, they have in the past but have not addressed it in months. Plus, I put in my hours this week voluntarily sitting in on a SCC Board meeting which just so happens to be in Puna. And I have no children and am not from the Puna district.
I suspect if this dumping were reported to be done in the Komohana Gardens and Sunrise Ridge subdivision there would be a different and possibly more immediate response than what you have been gotten in the past from authorities.
I really admire what you are doing.
Good Luck.
November 14th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
For accuracy’s sake, hpp, not sure what you knew – but it wasn’t Bobby Jean’s gender. She’s a lady.
Which makes one wonder which “he” you spoke to.
November 14th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
well Dave wonder no more, the he I spoke with was Lono.
I’ve spoken with Bobby when she was with DEM, in the past.
Bottom line is when enough people know about it, something will be done about it, it’s not just disgusting, it is a health and safety hazard. As well as an Enviormental Toxic Zone.
One would think the FoPF would have been all over this, Pahoa business serves the residents of that area. Just a thought.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
Today Todd, from Oahu DOH? called about this one site. They’ll investigate. I wonder what that will cost. They need only look up the TMK numbers of the last 4-5 houses off HB OGR, meanwhile the pigs rot. So guess they’ll send someone to find out who the county, state, private owners are and take steps. ok
Beanwhile the dump will grow.
Seen now on GOOGLE EARTH Popaa st and Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaii, google it……………
November 16th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
Is this because you called Todd with DOH, or did you call the county Department of Environmental Management and they passed on your concern to DOH? Or did you not call anyone and they are simply reading? Sounds pretty hopeful! I’ll post this pictorial as soon as Mel sends her depictions of illegal dump sites in Upper Puna. She’s been swamped with work, and unable to even connect her camera to her computer and upload.
November 17th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Got ‘em downloaded! Here’s the link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39624209@N08/?saved=1
Thanks for waiting for me to catch up~
These are just a few locations in Fern Forest, there is pretty much a dump that mirrors these at the end of every street (that’s over 100 dump sites like these in ONE small subdivision) and to the sides of the majority of the streets that connect.
Here’s where I’m at: I’m willing to adopt these sites in a concerted effort to eliminate the problem. I’m thinking along the lines of EPA grants, of cleanup through the use of volunteer work and community efforts. I am NOT interested in cleaning it up just so dumpers have room to dump more. I am NOT interested in handing the responsibility over to beaurocratic stalemates where people use this issue to further their own political careers but do nothing to deal with the actual issues. I want to know what penalties we can legally impose on dumpers and how, am absolutely driven to get the message out to dumpers that this is NOT an acceptable practice and why, and I am absolutely interested in creative ideas and actions.
Looking forward to making some progress. I was considering taking up welding and making big metal sculptures with the refuse! I think there’s an easier way though…;)
November 17th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Melissa,
Clearly, you have given this more thought than most of us.
While I can’t cite you any great successes, it seems inevitable that collecting evidence — photography, names/addresses from the garbage, license numbers of vehicles — is needed.
EPA? Interesting.
They have some information about illegal dumping, including emphasis that bringing public attention to bear is very important. Media?
For now, about “what penalties we can legally impose on dumpers and how”, here’s the law (from Hawaii County Code, Chapter 20), which was amended two years ago for dumping to be a petty misdemeanor:
“Section 20-41. Dumping refuse prohibited.
No person shall dump or place refuse in or upon any vacant lot, public place, or in or upon the premises of another…
Section 20-45. Penalty.
(a) Any violation of this article is a petty misdemeanor.
(b) In addition to the penalties in subsection (a), any person who violates the provisions of this article shall, upon conviction, be required to remove their refuse or shall be liable for the costs of removing that refuse.
(c) Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense.”
November 17th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Clearly, the penalty needs to be tweaked in the event enforcement actually happens. Make it a felony with at least two years imprisonment, no joke.
November 17th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Aloha James, I don’t know that I’ve thought more about it, but it seems I’ve thought about it a bit differently. I agree that evidence needs to be logged, absolutely, it should be part of any clean-up effort. The most damning evidence in actually catching dumpers, however, will be eyewitnesses. People in the neighborhood keeping track. Photographs, video, license plate numbers of dumpers. Thanks for sharing that law. Now to enforce it… Does this mean that civilians could file civil suits against dumpers? If not, maybe that is a major part that should be amended in this law, e.g. ‘Fern Forest vs. John Dumper’ I agree, Tiffany, clearly the law needs to be tweaked, but do you worry that to make it a felony would make enforcement even less likely? Uncle officer no like arrest his braddahs boy and ruin his life with one felony, etc, etc. It seems like a VERY stiff fine, mandatory jail time AND being made to clean up the site – the ENTIRE SITE, not just their trash (give them a taste of the true disgust of their crime) – would be a good start, and relatively easy to enforce, especially with community groups working with the police/enforcement to ensure that it is taken care of responsibly and thoroughly. If any penalties are not complied with, then even more severe penalties could be issued: Garnishment of wages to cover fines, (with a good sized portion of those fines paid to groups that take care of the trash, not to the county where it never reaches the problem), longer jail time and community service whereby they are forced to clean up the site with other similar offenders, under supervision.
EPA actually does a lot of cool stuff, offers a lot of great support and has a lot of room for creative solutions. Best of all, they’ve done it before in many ways, so it isn’t so much trial and error implementing a program, they’ll help if we’re willing to work.
November 17th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
Wouldn’t it be nice if it were possible to go back to chain gangs and to have convicts cleaning up these illegal dump sites, instead of them hanging out in jail lifting weights and reading the Bible?
November 18th, 2009 at 12:36 am
SS342H Felony disposal of solid waste. (a) person comits the offense of felony disposal of solid waste if the person;…etc.etc .
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessioncurrent/bills/HB2375 sdl .HTM
Mitch Roth gave me that law to use a couple years ago.2004
Anyone look at Popaa st in hawaiian beaches? on GOOGLE EARTH?
I spoke to Todd Nichols 2 1/2 years ago,(and yesterday) and got a letter saying he’d pass it on to DOH SHWB in Honolulu and I got a letter back months later from Chang , Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch. A form letter, about they’re dissiminating information to the contractors. yea? and?
So there is a Felony class(c) if it’s 10 yrds or more.
The pile on Old Govt. Rd. in HB has that easy.
But I was talking to my friend John, the ex-SC sheriff. who’s got a dump truck and a loader, I have a flatbed. I figure if we start and the was a media event the county would be embarrassed to not be at the fore front of it.
While they investigate.
November 18th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Holy smokes, serendipity is a fast worker! Just went to a site visit today in Fern Forest where we’re putting up a residential yurt; the neighbor came out and said she was working with others to organize a community action group, we got talking a bit about this blog and about the major problem of dumping and she asked if I’d take the lead with the illegal dumping here! I’ll have to test the waters and see if this is the way to go, but I can’t help but think it’s a sign – “Ask for what you want. Be ready to get it.”
November 18th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
So it looks like the rain will slow down maybe dry out in a few days. Who’s here that is willing to go with us to pick up some trash on Thanksgiving morning?
We should all be thankful were in a warm cozy houses, not full of litter and trash and I’m thankful I’m not in the situation where I’d for got my sense of right and wrong to save gas money by dumping a mile away as opposed to 6-7 miles up the hill to Pahoa, hmm transfer station in Hawaiian Beaches?
They generate more trash being on the lower economic level, buying those used Smith’s appliances don’t come with warrentees, it’s pau, it’s dumped, Old Govt. rd.
I got 3 trucks so far. Maybe a loader. Show of hands.
November 18th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
For a location to the pick up GOOGLE EARTH Old Govt. rd. trash, popaa st., hawaiian Beaches you’ll see all the picture from space. Can’t miss it.
November 18th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
[...] county Department of Environmental Management transfer station schedule is expected to change, come Dec. 1, with hours of operation reduced to a few days per week in the more rural areas around the island. [...]
May 4th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
[...] I’m pretty confident we are going to hear word soon that the hours will be expanded. Recall the hours were drastically reduced on Dec. 1, then slightly expanded for commuters in [...]