Used Oil Transporter Cited for Operating Without a Permit

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Filed March 30th, 2026

Detected March 31st, 2026

Summary

The Hawai'i Department of Health issued a Notice of Violation and Order (NOVO) against Unitek Solvent Services, Inc. for operating used oil facilities without required permits at four locations across O'ahu, Kaua'i, Maui, and Hawai'i Island. The company was assessed a penalty of $116,250 for nine violations including failure to renew permits, obtain EPA ID numbers, and submit annual used oil reports. Unitek has 20 days to respond to the order.

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What changed

The Hawai'i DOH identified violations through routine record reviews at four Unitek Solvent Services locations. The NOVO alleges Unitek failed to renew permits for O'ahu and Kaua'i facilities, failed to apply for a permit after relocating its Maui facility, failed to obtain EPA ID numbers, and failed to submit annual used oil reports for all four facilities. The agency assessed $116,250 in civil penalties for nine violations.

Any entity operating used oil transportation, transfer, or processing facilities in Hawai'i must ensure all permits are current, EPA ID numbers are obtained, and annual reports are filed. Unitek has 20 days from the NOVO date to respond. Regulated entities should audit their permit status and reporting compliance to avoid similar penalties.

What to do next

Verify all used oil transporter/processor permits are current and properly renewed
Confirm EPA ID numbers have been obtained for all applicable facilities
Submit any missing annual used oil reports immediately

Penalties

$116,250 civil penalty for nine violations

Source document (simplified)

Home » Newsroom » DOH CITES USED OIL TRANSPORTER AND PROCESSOR FOR OPERATING WITHOUT A PERMIT

DOH CITES USED OIL TRANSPORTER AND PROCESSOR FOR OPERATING WITHOUT A PERMIT

Posted on Mar 30, 2026 in Newsroom HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has issued a Notice of Violation and Order (NOVO) against Unitek Solvent Services, Inc. (Unitek) for violating the state’s used oil management laws. Unitek has been cited for the following:

Operating multiple used oil transporter/transfer facility locations without a permit,
Operating a used oil recycling/processing facility without a permit,
Failure to notify and obtain an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ID number, and
Failure to submit annual used oil reports. Non-financial record reviews by the DOH identified violations across four Unitek locations. The NOVO alleges that Unitek failed to renew permits for its O‘ahu and Kaua‘i facilities, failed to properly notify the DOH and apply for a used oil permit after relocating its Maui facility, and failed to submit annual used oil reports for facilities on O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, Maui and Hawai‘i Island. Used oil transporters and recyclers/processors are required by statute to obtain a permit before operating and regulations require notification and annual reporting.

Unitek has been assessed a fine of $116,250 for nine violations. In addition to paying the penalty, Unitek has been ordered to correct the violations, including submitting a notification, permit applications and annual reports. Unitek has 20 days to respond to the order.

To protect Hawai‘i from pollutants that endanger people and the environment, the DOH regulates the transportation, storage, processing, burning and disposal of used oil. The DOH Solid & Hazardous Waste Branch promotes pollution prevention and waste minimization, develops partnerships with waste generators and the regulated community, guides the rehabilitation of contaminated lands and aggressively enforces environmental laws.