Program targets abandoned cars in Hawaii county

The County of Maui (Hawaii) Department of Environmental Management has launched a program that addresses the prevalence of junk automobiles found in the county.

Through the program, called Abandoned Vehicles Prevention – Junk Vehicle Assistance Program, county residents will be able to have their junked vehicles delivered to a scrap metal recycling facility at no charge. The program limits county residents to one vehicle per year at no processing charge.

Funding for the program will come from Hawaii’s Highway Beautification and Abandoned Vehicles Fund, a portion of vehicle owner registration fees. The funding for the program will continue until the money is exhausted.

To take advantage of the program, county residents are required to register their old vehicles as “Permanently Junked” and deliver them to Hammerhead Metals Recycling, a metals recycling company in Puunene, Hawaii. Participants will be asked to complete a short survey to monitor the success of the program.

Only registered owners of vehicles who are residents of the County of Maui can participate in the program. The owners also must be present with the vehicle when it is delivered to the yard and need to have all documentation in hand.

To be accepted under the program, the vehicle can have up to five tires mounted or within the vehicle. They also need to be clean and clear of household trash, hazardous material or excessive waste items.

Commercial vehicles are not included in the program.

For more information on the program, click here.