HONOLULU — Hawaii is fining the state’s only sugar plantation $1.3 million for alleged cane burning violations from 2009 to 2013.
The state said Tuesday it documented more than 400 violations by Maui’s Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Co. when it reviewed the company’s reports and other papers.
Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar said in a statement it will contest the fine, noting the violations were unintentional and the result of a complex milling operation.
The company also believes the penalty is excessive, particularly because it identified and self-reported each incident. The company adds many of the incidents cited by the state fine order didn’t violate laws.
Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar says there’s no indication the incidents resulted in violations of air-quality standards established to protect human health.