Hawai‘i Police Department Puna Community Policing Officer Chad Sato Phone: (808) 965-2716

The Hawai’i Police Department is reminding the public that while transporting cargo on any public roadway or highway, your load must be covered. Most of the litter on or near our roadways is not intentionally thrown.  Rather, it has more often than not, been blown out of open-bed pickup trucks, thereby potentially causing a road hazard or a traffic collision.

Anytime you travel with a loaded truck bed, trailer, or roof rack, make sure to properly secure your load by:

After tying down a load double check to make sure that nothing can slide, fall, or shift out of your vehicle. Check your car manual to make sure you aren’t overloading your vehicle.

According to Hawai‘i Revised Statute 291C-13231, the penalties for first-time violators of the law can expect a fine of $250 to $500. A second violation, if cited within a year after the first, delivers a fine of between $500 and $750, plus suspension of the vehicle registration and/or license of the driver for at least five working days.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

The Crime Stoppers TV Program is available on-demand from Nā Leo TV.