HONOLULU — You may often see them posted on utility poles in neighborhoods – signs for missing pets, garage sales, services, business advertisements and more. Hawaiian Electric is reminding the public that posting signs on utility poles is illegal and poses a safety hazard for utility workers.

According to a news release, Hawaiian Electric states, “Unauthorized attachments to utility equipment are a violation of state and county laws and subject to fines or community service (Hawaii Revised Statutes §264-72 Control of Outdoor Advertising, Hawaii Revised Statutes §445-114 Unlawful Posting in Public Places, and Hawaii County Code Chapter 22 County Street, Section 22-2.6).”

Staples and nails used to attach signs to poles can also injure workers and puncture their personal protective equipment, which they maintain or repairing.

Hawaiian Electric personnel will remove and discard the signs. Violators will be notified and if deemed necessary, the company may also notify the state and county of the violation.

Hawaiian Electric asks for the public’s cooperation to remove any signs they have posted on utility poles, since having crews remove them can cause a delay in completing work and impact service to customers.

The public can report signs on utility poles to Customer Service at 808-548-7311 on Oahu, 808-969-6999 on Hawaii Island, 808-871-9777 on Maui, or 1-877-871-8461 on Molokai and Lanai.