Kauai County - How To Dispose Of A Vehicle

Legal owners may dispose of vehicles free of charge by completing a Junking Affidavit(PDF, 36KB) downloadable here or available at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Owners must surrender license plates and the certificate of title, along with the Junking Affidavit form at the DMV office. For more information on junking your vehicle through the DMV, please click HERE.

Residents using the Waiver form must provide a photograph of the front and side of the vehicle and a copy of their ID, please see Instructions for Waiver, Release, and Indemnity Agreement form(PDF, 206KB) .

A Waiver, Release, and Indemnity Agreement form(PDF, 190KB) is accepted if a Junking Affidavit(PDF, 36KB) cannot be obtained.

Once license plates and titles are surrendered vehicles must be transported or towed to Puhi Metals Facility for recycling. Puhi Metals Facility is located at 3951 Puhi Road and is open Monday - Saturday 7:30 am to 3:30 pm; phone: (808) 245-6919. Puhi Metals will require a copy of the Junking Affidavit or Waiver, Release, and Indemnity form in order to accept the vehicle for recycling.

Starting Monday, August 2 anyone using a waiver form will be charged a fee of $60.

Residents must come in person before or at the same time a vehicle is brought in if they are using the waiver form to verify signature, and they must provide a photo of the front and side of the vehicle to junk. The waiver form must be completely filled out including the VIN. A fee of $10 fee may be assessed if Puhi Metals must photograph the vehicle and a $5 fee if Puhi Metals prints the waiver form for the customer.

Tow Truck Operators:

For towing of abandoned vehicles from commercial properties, operators will be assessed an administrative fee for utilizing the waiver form. It is up to the tow truck operator to pass this fee on to their commercial customers.

The County cannot tow abandoned and derelict vehicles from PRIVATE PROPERTY.

If a vehicle is abandoned on private property it is the responsibility of the property owner to remove such vehicles (HRS, Ch. 290-11)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Abandoned Vehicle?

• Any vehicle left unattended for more than 24 hours on a public highway.
• Any vehicle left unattended for a continuous period of more than 24 hours and is unlawfully parked on any public highway or other public property.

What is a Derelict Vehicle?

• A vehicle is classified as derelict if major parts have been removed or material damage to the vehicle has rendered the vehicle inoperable.

How do I report an Abandoned Vehicle?

If you would like to report a suspected abandoned vehicle located on a public road or public property, go to the Abandoned and Derelict Online Report and have at minimum the following information ready:

• Specific location of the vehicle
• License plate number, if available
• Make, type and color of the vehicle

In the event you are unable to complete the Online Report, you may meet with the Abandoned and Derelict Coordinator at Kauai Police Department Headquarters, Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. DO NOT CALL to report vehicles as abandoned or derelict. All reports must be made either Online or In-Person.

What happens to Abandoned/Derelict Vehicles?

When a car is reported, the Police Department will place a notice on the vehicle stating that it must be removed within 24 hours or it will be towed.

• If the vehicle is not removed from the site within 24 hours, the Police Department will then ticket the vehicle and it will be classified as either an Abandoned or Derelict Vehicle.
• The Abandoned Vehicle Coordinator will be notified and will make necessary arrangements to have the vehicle towed to the Puhi Metals Recycling Center.

How do I reclaim the vehicle?

To reclaim a vehicle, the registered owner must pay all citations, towing and storage fees. Whether a vehicle is claimed or not, the registered owner will be responsible for all citations!