LIHUE » A Kauai man is suing the chairwoman of the state Public Utilities Commission, saying she damaged his property while illegally running a bed and breakfast on the island’s north shore.

The Garden Island reported Tuesday that Michael Sheehan of Hanalei filed a lawsuit against Hermina Morita and her husband, accusing them of nuisance, negligence and violating state law.

Morita did not immediately respond to a call seeking comment from The Associated Press.

State officials fined Morita and her husband Lance Laney $31,000 in May for building and operating the bed and breakfast without proper permits or permission. The 3.2-acre getaway was within a protected subzone of the state.

Sheehan says the construction modified the flow of the river, causing his property downriver to flood periodically.