Posted on: Wednesday, January 23, 2002

State probing tire dumping on Maui beach

Advertiser Staff

WAILUKU, Maui — State conservation officials are checking certain businesses on Maui to find out who dumped 56 tires on the Ma'alaea shoreline.

The tires were discovered Jan. 12, and the state hired a contractor to remove them. The Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement is seeking the public's help to find the culprit.

"I'm extremely upset. This was a very callous act done by someone who obviously does not care about our environment," said Maui branch chief Randy Awo.

The tires were discarded at the end of a residential road off Honoapi'ilani Highway. Awo suspects the illegal dumping was done at night. Officials have been visiting businesses to check on their tire disposal procedures, but there have been no leads in the case, he said.

A county ordinance prohibits the dumping of tires in landfills. Used tires must be shipped off-island for disposal. State laws also govern tire disposal.

Anyone with information on the incident should call Awo at (808) 984-8110.