Derelict and Abandoned Vehicles have become one of the biggest blights facing the State of Hawaii today. In the past, there were fewer people, fewer vehicles, and more space. No provision was made for the proper disposal of unwanted vehicles except for the County Dump. It was difficult and costly to haul dead cars and trucks to dumpsites many miles away; much easier to just drag them off to the side and forget about them.

Today, there are many thousands of derelict vehicles on the Big Island alone, and the problem extends throughout the state. They are not just an eyesore; leaking petroleum products and battery acid pollute our 'aina, rats nest in rotting upholstery, the very existence of one DV attracts others, and irresponsible people fill them with trash.

In a very welcome attempt to clean up a problem which has become almost overwhelming, the County of Hawaii instituted a "Derelict Vehicle Amnesty Program" which began in 2005 and has recently been extended through July of 2008. If you have derelict vehicles on your property, you can access the appropriate County form using the green button below. Instructions are included in the file. You can fill in this form on your computer screen, but you MUST PRINT it before closing; the filled-in form cannot be saved. If you want a copy for your records, print two copies. You may also print the blank form and fill it in by hand, or pick up a copy of the form at our office in the Ocean View Town Center.

.

At the time of this writing, the County is willing to remove two vehicles from your property, if they meet the criteria listed below (don't give up, it's simpler than it looks!):

The following article focuses on the Department of Environmental Management's program to combat the problem of derelict vehicles on our Island of Hawaii. The Hawai`i County Council has just approved a two-year extension to June 30, 2008 of the Derelict Vehicle amnesty pickup program from private property.

The County has extended what had been a one-year pilot program, the Derelict Vehicle Disposal Amnesty Program. The two-year extension approved by the County Council runs from July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2008.

The Derelict Vehicle Disposal Amnesty Program is designed for the removal and recycling of derelict vehicles ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.

This program is for derelict vehicles only

What's the difference between an abandoned vehicle and a derelict vehicle?

Whereas abandoned vehicles may be driven again, derelict vehicles are inoperable. That means that major parts have been removed or material damage to the vehicle has rendered the vehicle inoperable and one of the following conditions exists:
1. The vehicle is registered for the current registration period and the legal owner no longer resides at the address on record with the County Director of Finance, or
2. The vehicle has been registered for the current or previous registration period and the legal owners disclaim ownership, or
3. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and license plates have been removed so as to nullify efforts to locate or identify the current registered and legal owners, or
4. The vehicle has not been registered for the current or previous registration periods, or
5. Vehicle registration records contain no record that the vehicle has ever been registered in the county.

How does the owner of a derelict vehicle start the removal process?
The property owner must sign an affidavit attesting to certain facts concerning the ownership and exact location of the derelict vehicle.
The property owner must give:
• consent for the County and their agents to enter the private property, and
• a release of liability to the County in order to get access to the derelict vehicle.
To obtain a Derelict Vehicle Disposal Amnesty Program application form, contact the Department of Environmental Management at 961-8083. (Or use the link above)
The County will contact the property owner once a determination has been made on their application.

What restrictions are there?
• No more than two derelict vehicles per owner, or per parcel, will be removed through this pilot project program.
• Requests will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Responses to requests may depend upon space availability at the scrap metal recovery yards.
• If a property owner whose application has already been accepted owns other parcels (contiguous or non-contiguous) containing derelict vehicles, an application for the removal of the additional vehicles may be submitted.
• It must be physically possible for a County-contracted tow truck to safely and efficiently remove the derelict vehicle. If the tow truck operator determines that the vehicle cannot be towed away safely with reasonable effort, then the County is under no obligation to remove the vehicle.

Free drop off derelict vehicles in Hilo and Kealakehe
The backlog of vehicles waiting to be removed is large, so we’d like to remind the community that it is free to leave a derelict vehicle at the metal scrap yards at the Hilo and Kealakehe transfer stations.
All you have to do is get the vehicle to the scrap yard and everything else is taken care of free of charge to you.

For further information on the Derelict Vehicle Disposal Amnesty Program or to apply for removal of a derelict vehicle, call 961-8083 or email CoH