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Kokua Line June Watanabe |
Moral reward for
reporting illegal dumpsQuestion: Where can I report illegal dumping in a big way and is there any reward for doing so?
Answer: You should call the Solid Waste Section of the state Department of Health's Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch, at 586-4226, to report any illegal dumping.
There is no monetary reward for blowing the whistle on this activity, but at least you will have stopped the culprits from bypassing federal and state laws, as well as alleviated any health risks to the community.
Open dumps have been found to lead to pollution of both ground and surface water, cause odor problems and pose fire hazards.
The Health Department alone "can't catch every illegal act against our environment, but with the public's help we can certainly reduce the contamination of our land, water and air," said spokeswoman Janice Okubo.
You should offer as much information as possible when reporting illegal dumping, including dates, times, any names on trucks, license plate numbers, location, material being disposed, estimated quantity, and any photos.
There are clear definitions as to what constitutes solid waste, said Darcie Yukimura, a public information specialist for the Health Department.
Call the Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch only if you see at least one cubic yard (3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet) of large waste items -- refrigerators, tires, sofas, etc. -- or habitual dumping at an undesignated waste site, Yukimura said.
"Large amounts of sand, dirt, and dust do not normally qualify as solid waste, but if it is causing a nuisance to the community, the (Solid and Hazardous Management Branch) can direct the call to a corresponding agency," she said.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency describes illegal dumping as the disposing of waste in an unpermitted area, including the back area of a yard or stream bank, as well as the pouring of liquid wastes down storm drains.
The EPA says illegally dumped wastes are primarily nonhazardous materials left by people who want to avoid paying disposal fees or spending the time and effort to properly dispose of the wastes.
The Health Department describes three kinds of illegal dumps: roadside dumps, where loads of rubbish are discarded in open spaces or lots next to lightly traveled roads; landfill operations where illegal dumpers accept wastes from truckers to make their own landfill without following the law; and residents and businesses who collect and pile up wastes without the department's permission.
Illegal dumpers, as well as owners of illegal dumps, face penalties of up to $10,000 a day, and are also liable for clean up.
Q: Can you give me a list of the news channels for radio, AM and FM?
A: You can find a listing of Honolulu radio stations and their programming in the Star-Bulletin's Features Section.
Generally, you can catch news and talk shows on FM stations 88.1 KHPR and 89.3 KIPO; and AM stations 590 KSSK, 650 KHNR, 830 KHVH, 990 KHBZ and 1080 KWAI.
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Useful phone numbers
Got a question or complaint?
Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
E-mail to kokualine@starbulletin.com