After Hurricane Iniki trashed Kaua'i and its economy, the county let a particular piece of environmental legislation slide, to give struggling businesses a hand.

It was the county's sign ordinance, which limits the size of commercial signs, controls where they can be posted, and for temporary signs, limits how long they can be left up. The island is full of oversize signs, sandwich-board signs and semi-permanent banners.

Now, with unemployment at a record low 2.5 percent, and with the economy booming, it's time to be concerned about how the island looks, said Mayor Bryan Baptiste.

"These signs have been allowed so small businesses could survive the tough economic times. However, conditions have changed. The economy is strong now. We need to return to the intent of the sign ordinance," he said.

The general rule, if you're interested in posting a sign, is that if it's not a real estate or political sign, it needs a permit. Signs can't be obscene, can't distract drivers, can't move if they're on a roof, can't flash — regulations like that.

"We simply want to preserve Kaua'i's natural beauty as much as possible," the mayor said. "We're asking for everyone's cooperation in returning to the intent of the sign ordinance." He said that part of the reason for the renewed interest in enforcing the sign law has been calls from citizens complaining about flagrant signs.

County building division chief Doug Haigh urged business owners to look up the sign law and determine whether their materials meet the requirements of the ordinance. For information, Kaua'i businesses can call the building division at (808) 241-6655.

Inspectors will issue warnings, asking business owners to remove signs that don't meet the requirements of the sign law. Only if they refuse will citations be issued.

So far, most folks have been willing to remove or adjust their signs to meet the law's restrictions. But a few cases have been tricky, Baptiste said. "Even after we provided verbal notice of a violation, there are a few establishments that have tried to circumvent the ordinance and our enforcement efforts by putting up illegal signs after our inspectors have left the area, or displaying them after hours and on weekends," he said.

Baptiste said the county has the staffing to initially survey and enforce the sign ordinance. If many businesses refuse to comply or problems recur, the administration may seek funding for overtime or additional staffing, he said.

If you have a question or concern about the Hawaiian environment, drop a note to Jan TenBruggencate at P.O. Box 524, Lihu'e, HI 96766 or jant@honoluluadvertiser.com. Or call him at (808) 245-3074.