HONOLULU — The Hawaii Department of Health is pursuing roughly $475,000 in civil penalties against ABC Junkyard in Waiawa, saying the Pearl City property continued to accept and store waste despite repeated warnings and regulatory action.
State records show large-scale contamination and unpermitted expansion
Inspectors who visited the site this year documented what the department described as extensive accumulations of tires, vehicles, construction debris, appliances, scrap metal and improperly stored chemicals. The property sits adjacent to Waiawa Stream, raising concerns from neighbors and regulators about runoff and public health risks.
“How were they allowed to build and develop out a landfill with no monitoring and no regulating and no controls in place?”
— Andre Perez, neighbor
Neighbors and community members said the operation grew from an auto salvage site into a facility handling mixed construction and demolition waste without an approved permit. That expansion, residents contend, produced months of dust, noise and visible environmental degradation.
Inspections, violations and enforcement timeline
State records show the first notice of violation was issued in February, accompanied by a $55,000 penalty tied to failures to protect Waiawa Stream. In late June, inspectors reported an expanded set of problems and the Department of Health added two more fines totaling $420,000, bringing the total sought to about $475,000.
| Item | Estimated quantity |
|---|---|
| Tires | ~21,000 |
| Junk vehicles | ~50 |
| Mixed construction trash | ~10,000 cubic yards |
| Appliances/scrap steel | ~3,000 cubic yards |
Photos and earlier inspections also documented chemical spills and poorly maintained structures used to store potentially hazardous materials. Despite the department’s orders, reporters observed trucks and vehicles arriving at the site while enforcement actions were underway.
Owner appealing, attorney reports steps to address issues
The junkyard’s owner maintains the right to operate while appealing the state orders. His legal counsel told reporters the operator is taking steps to address the most serious violations and is working with the state, though the Department of Health said prior warnings were defied.
- State issued first violation — February: $55,000 for stream protection failures
- June inspection documented tens of thousands of tires and large volumes of waste
- Two additional penalties added, totaling about $420,000
The case highlights regulatory challenges on Oʻahu when industrial or recycling operations expand into handling broader waste streams. For residents near Waiawa Stream, the immediate stakes include air quality from dust and potential contamination of water bodies that feed local communities.
The Department of Health declined further comment beyond the enforcement order; reporting crews observed ongoing activity at the site. The department’s next steps may include administrative hearings and possible cleanup directives if fines are upheld. For now, neighbors remain concerned about ongoing operations and the prospect of remediation for the long-accumulated materials on the property.
— Leilani Akana, News Block
