Dumping is Illegal! By Leilani K.

The problem is not new; it's been going on forever in all communities in Hawaii and everywhere else around the world. Dumping is bad for the environment, unhealthy and destroys the aesthetics of our community, to name a few. It is fundamentally a crime, a violation of County laws and subject to enforcement. People need to be held accountable for this common practice among problematic litterbugs.

Someone dumped car parts on Mauna Loa Drive near the highway as well as on Hwy 11 near the street sign. Engine parts were placed on the Aloha Estates side of the drive and also on people's properties that abut or border it. It's not only an eyesore that people have to pass by upon leaving or arriving into our subdivision, but often attracts the company of others with the bright idea that they can save gas by dumping their junk on public or private properties instead of going to the transfer station for proper disposal.

If you see anyone actively dumping anywhere in the community, try and get a visual on the vehicle and license plate numbers. Note the time and date of the incident and call the non-emergency police number (808)961-8223 to report it.

The following is an excerpt from the County of Hawaii Department of Environmental Management, Solid Waste Division & Recycling Section:

PROPERTY OWNER INFO

To all property owners/manager, contractors, waste haulers, developers and interested parties: Please be aware of current State law regarding illegal dumping in Hawai‘i

You are responsible for the proper removal of residential, commercial and industrial solid waste to permitted disposal or recycling facilities. (HRS §342H)

Fines may be levied on the generator of the waste, even if they hired someone else to dispose the waste.

Everyone is responsible for properly removing solid wastes to facilities permitted by the Department of Health.
Anyone including property owners, lessees, contractors and waste haulers may be subject to administrative, civil or criminal penalties and held responsible for property cleanup.
Illegal dumpers may be subject to enforcement action and administrative and civil penalties of up to $10,000/day for each offense (HRS §342H-9).
Those who knowingly dispose of solid waste equal to or greater than one cubic yard and less than ten cubic yards are subject to criminal penalties of up to $25,000/day for each offense (HRS §342H-39).
It is a class C felony offense to knowingly dispose of solid waste equal to or greater than ten cubic yards anywhere other than a permitted solid waste management system without the written approval of the Director of the Department of Health (HRS §342H-37).
Each day of violation is a separate offense.

https://www.hawaiizerowaste.org/info/illegal-dumping/

Glenwood Transfer Station: Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays (6 am to 6 pm)

Volcano Transfer Station: Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays (6 am to 6 pm)

Feral Pig Eradication Project-November 2025

Feral Pigs in Aloha Estates by Leilani Kruger

This past year the Aloha Estates Board addressed a problematic feral pig infestation that swept through the neighborhood like a plague, wreaking havoc along the common road areas and on residents' properties. It was a phenomenon never before seen, with a sounder (a herd of wild swine) of more than twelve roaming freely throughout the neighborhood, uprooting or digging up the common road grassy areas and residents' properties in search of worms and other delicacies.

The feral pigs' path of destruction appeared localized to the first road, although other Unit 1 roadways were affected to a lesser degree. Estimating the size of the larger pigs to be well over 200 lbs, the sounder included boars and sows of varying ages and weights. The signature uprooting from these feral pigs were prominent and made the uneven uprooted earth a hindrance to residents and the maintenance crew on their quarterly work assignment in our neighborhood. The feral pigs posed significant danger to the community and its' residents, causing property damages to agriculture, landscape and potential health risks from their droppings.

In October the Board collaborated with the USDA Wildlife Services in Hilo to begin the process of eradicating the feral pigs from our Aloha Estates neighborhood. Jordan K. Linnell, the Hawaii district supervisor, scheduled his team to set up a pig brig trap on a resident's vacant lot and within a month, six pigs were trapped, dispatched and tested for diseases. Mr. Linnell will provide results of the case to the Association and those results will also be posted on our website at https://www.alohaestates.org/under Community News, when they become available. Below is a link to the USDA agency’s website if anyone is interested: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/operational-wildlife-activities

'Awapuhi Nani Rd 4--Low profile road strips 2022 Project

Complaints were received by neighbors about vehicles speeding near the beginning of Road 4 from the Mauna Kea Drive side of the subdivision. The Board discussed the issue and decided to add low profile road strips to deter speeders and encourage them to "slow down", especially when children are seen playing in the neighborhood.

Mahalo to AEA president Glen B. and neighbor Ross A. for their hard work completing the project. Numerous comments were made on the positive impact this project will have on the community.

Culvert Signs Project 2020

The Aloha Estates Association Board contracted Loeffler Construction in 2017 to install cement barriers to be placed on the side of the road in places that were precariously dangerous to residents and visitors alike who could fall into deep ravines on either side of the road while out for a walk. The barriers were placed on 'Ohia Nani Rd 1, Hapu'u Nani Rd 2 and along the intersection of Na'u Nani Rd 3 and Mauna Loa Drive. The weight of the barriers on the road were a concern and a visual inspection affirmed fears of the possible weakened and deteriorating culverts beneath.

The Board was notified by residents on 'Ohia Nani Rd 1 of the potential hazards on the road under which the culvert was placed decades before to help with water flow during heavy rain events that are common to the area. As a temporary solution, custom signs were ordered from GP Roadway Solutions to warn people of deteriorating culverts on the Volcano end of 'Ohia Nani Rd 1 and at the intersection of Na'u Nani Rd 3 and Mauna Loa Drive. Road 1 residents who live nearby the affected culvert requested "No Trucks Beyond This Point!" signs to deter heavy vehicles from driving over the weakened area. Mahalo to all those involved in this project, especially the Hubners for their diligence and kokua on the matter.