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| The Na`alehu sewage treatment plant would be located near Na`alehu School, makai of Hwy 11. Image from County of Hawai`i |
Implementation of the plans are expected to take several years, according to the County's proposed timelines.
Input is welcome through May 30 from Pahala and Na`alehu residents, and other interested parties. They can comment on the Administrative Order of Consent mandating that the County of Hawai`i close large capacity community cesspools in Pahala and Na`alehu. They can also comment on the County of Hawai`i's Workplans, which show how and when the County intends to close the seven large capacity cesspools "that are being allegedly operated in violation of a ban that wen int effect in 2005," says a press release from the County.
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| Planned sewage treatment plant site, which would be purchased from Kamehameha Schools. It is now a macadamia orchard next to the scenic entrance to Pahala. Map from County of Hawai`i |
In Pahala, the EPA has ordered the County to close two large capacity cesspools serving approximately 109 private residences and two large capacity cesspools serving the Pahala Elderly Apartments.
The plans submitted to the EPA by the County, show that the County plans to use Kamehameha School property makai of Maile Street where macadamia orchards are currently growing. The property is close to the scenic Norfolk pine entry to the village along Maile Street. The property would be condemned and acquired by the county.
In a section that describes the benefits to Pahala, the report says, "The expected output and outcome is a design and construction project that will produce a new wastewater collection system that will replace C. Brewer’s Sugar Plantation Sewer System consisting of 60-year old sewer lines and LCCs that are in poor condition. The benefit is to the Pāhala residents will no longer need to be concerned about the reliability of their sewer system from a health and welfare standpoint. Dependable sewer service will be available to 109 residential properties currently served by the existing sewer system in the Pāhala Community." An additional 65 properties that are not currently being served by the existing sewer system will receive the new sewer service.
In Na`alehu, the EPA has ordered the closure of three large capacity cesspools serving approximately 163 homes. The new location will be on state property, the site chosen to be farther from the historic makahiki lands between Na`alehu and Honu`apo, than previously selected locations for the treatment plant.
In a section of the report describing benefits to Na`aleu, the County writes, "The expected output and outcome is a design and construction project that will produce a new wastewater treatment and collection system that will replace C. Brewer’s Sugar Plantation Sewer System consisting of 60-year old sewer lines and LCCs that are in poor condition. The benefit is to the Nā‘ālehu residents will no longer need to be concerned about the reliability of their sewer system from a health and welfare standpoint. Dependable sewer service will be available to 161 properties currently served by the existing sewer system in the Nā‘ālehu Community and to an additional 32 properties that are not currently being served by the existing sewer system."
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| Proposed sewage lines from the old sugar camp houses to Highway 11 where they would cross over to the new sewage treatment plant that would be near Na`alehu School. Image from County of Hawai`i |
Plans, maps and timelines for completing the projects in both Na`alehu and Pahala can be seen at:
https://www.epa.gov/uic/hawaii-cesspools-administrative-orders
https://www.epa.gov/uic/matter-county-hawaii-docket-no-sdwa-uic-09-2017-0002
https://www.epa.gov/uic/consent-agreement-and-final-order-proposed-matter-county-hawaii
According to an EPA Public Notice, the public may provide comments on the matter through May 30, 2017. To submit comments to the EPA, the public is asked to provide with those comments the following information: Full name, mailing address, telephone number, email address, the Docket Number (SDWA-UIC-09-2017-0002), and a concise statement of the basis for and relevant facts supporting any comments.
For more information and to send comments, contact EPA Region IX Enforcement Division
Jelani Shareem (shareem.jelani@epa.gov) of mail to her at Enforcement Officer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX; 75 Hawthorne Street (ENF-3-3); San Francisco, CA 94105. Call (415) 972- 3095.
https://www.epa.gov/uic/matter-county-hawaii-docket-no-sdwa-uic-09-2017-0002
https://www.epa.gov/uic/consent-agreement-and-final-order-proposed-matter-county-hawaii
According to an EPA Public Notice, the public may provide comments on the matter through May 30, 2017. To submit comments to the EPA, the public is asked to provide with those comments the following information: Full name, mailing address, telephone number, email address, the Docket Number (SDWA-UIC-09-2017-0002), and a concise statement of the basis for and relevant facts supporting any comments.
For more information and to send comments, contact EPA Region IX Enforcement Division
Jelani Shareem (shareem.jelani@epa.gov) of mail to her at Enforcement Officer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX; 75 Hawthorne Street (ENF-3-3); San Francisco, CA 94105. Call (415) 972- 3095.
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KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SCHOLARSHIP deadline is June 1. The Chamber encourages
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Ka`u youth and adult students to apply for the annual Ken Wicks Ka`u Chamber of Commerce Scholarship. Preference is to those who intend to remain in or return to Ka`u after completing higher education. Scholarship money can be used for all college and vocational training and ranges from $250 to $1,000 per year. Students who remain in school, in good standing, are eligible to receive the scholarship annually. For an application, see kauchmber.org. Call Lee McIntosh at 929-9872 with questions.
REGISTER FOR SUMMER FUN AT KA`U DISTRICT GYM on Wednesday, May 4 from 3:30 p.m.to 5:30 p.m. and
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| Summer Fun will be held for the first time this year at Ka`u District Gym. Registration is Wednesday afternoon and until enrollment is met. Photo by Julia Neal |
Council member Maile David is funding more than half the cost for each child through her council member budget. With the subsidy, the cost per keiki for the entire summer break will be $40. Children must have completed Kindergarten and are eligible through sixth grade. The enrollment limit is 40 youngsters. Participants must bring their own lunches daily. Snacks are optional.
For more information, call Nona Makuakane at 928-3102. See program guides at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.
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Volcano Chamber Players are, from left, Susan McGovern, viola; Meg Saunders, cello; Mark Caudill, violin; Glenda Johnson, violin. Photo from VAC |
The afternoon of fine chamber music and pupu for Mother’s Day includes a tour of Volcano Art Center’s Ni‘aulani Sculpture Garden. The Great Room provides the setting for an intimate afternoon of music in the forest, steps away from the garden.
Volcano Chamber Players will perform favorite classical works by Bach, Handel, Mozart, Purcell and Puccini, as well as popular romantic music such as Music of the Night (from Phantom of the Opera) by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sunrise, Sunset (from Fiddler on the Roof), and Blue Tango by Leroy Anderson.
Tickets for the concert are $20/$15 for VAC members. To purchase, call 967-8222 or see volcanoartcenter.org.
Funds raised will support the Ni‘aulani Sculpture Garden and ongoing programs at VAC.
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Ocean View Neighborhood Watch meeting, Thu, May 4, 7 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-2442 & 928-2015 An Evening of Hawaiian Language.
An Evening of Hawaiian Language, Thu, May 4, 7 – 9 p.m., Volcano Art Center. UH-Hilo instructor ʻĀlika Guerrero gives an overview of a series of classes beginning in July at VAC. Free; donations accepted. 967-8222 Ocean View Cinco de Mayo Party, Fri, May 5, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., St. Jude’s Episcopal Church. Enchiladas, refried beans, said, beverage & dessert. $8 per person, $15 for two, $20 for family at the door. 939-7555
Paint Your Own Silk Scarf, Sat, May 6, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Patti Pease Johnson helps students open up their creativity and challenge themselves. $50/$45 VAC members. 967-8222
Stewardship at the Summit, Sat, May 6, 12, 20, 26; 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Volunteers clear ginger from park trails. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo Realms & Divisions of Kahuku, Sat, May 6, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Pu‘u Kahuku Trail explores the traditional Hawaiian land classification system. Free. nps.gov/havo
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www.kaucalendar.com |
