Upcoming vehicle disposal assistance program offered

Abandoned vehicles are left on the side of Mamalahoa Highway in South Kona on Tuesday, (Laura Shimabuku/West Hawaii Today)
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The County of Hawaii Department of Environmental Management Derelict and Abandoned Vehicle Section is initiating a short-term program starting in August that is designed to assist county residents with the disposal of unwanted vehicles.

This program, the department said in a press release, is to help registered vehicle owners dispose of vehicles legally and properly, in an effort to reduce the number of derelict and abandoned vehicles on public roadways.

A maximum of one vehicle per registered owner may be disposed of at no charge during this program’s time period of Wednesday to Oct. 31. Please note that each owner is responsible for the towing and removal costs from the vehicle’s location to the designated scrap metal recycler. The county will pay only the disposal costs directly to the county’s existing scrap metal contractors.

This program may be extended if allocated funds are available.

Applications for this program will be accepted from Aug. 1-31. Registered vehicle owners are encouraged to submit their applications early, due to a limited number of disposal appointments.

Please visit our website at http://www.hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/automotive/ for the application, guidelines, and instructions. If you have any questions, please contact the Derelict and Abandoned Vehicle Program at (808) 961-8552 or DEMAV@hawaiicounty.gov.