The owner of a multimillion dollar property in Kukio on the Big Island drilled a well in June 2007 without a permit and the contractor for the job, Delima Drilling, was unlicensed to do the work, according to state documents. 

The potential fine for the two legal violations? $18 million. The fine for each violation is $5,000 day. 

But the cash-strapped Department of Land and Natural Resources is letting the property owner, John Pataye, and the contractors off with a $900 fine. 

In a letter to the department, Pataye said that the general contractor for his house, Metzler Construction, advised him that no permits were needed. 

Pataye, who is trying to sell the property that is listed for $15 million, said that a buyer backed out when it was discovered that the well lacked a permit, according to documents.

Pataye has requested an “after-the-fact” permit for the well. 

Hawaii County has been concerned about the cumulative environmental impact of individual wells in the area.