Kaʻū News Briefs Sept. 22, 2024

PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED NEW NĀ’ĀLEHU WASTEWATER SYSTEM to serve the old sugar camp community that is on gang cesspools is open through Oct. 21. See the draft of the plan at dem.hawaiicounty.gov/projects and at Nā'ālehu Public Library.
    The public meeting to gather community input on the Draft Environmental Information Document is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10 at Nā'ālehu Community Center, 95-5635 Māmalahoa Highway. Attending remotely is also available via Zoom: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/16031058165. Phone: (669) 254-5252 (Meeting ID: 160 3105 8165). Those not attending the meeting can email comments to the consultant: publiccomment@wilsonokamoto.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.  

THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION of Hawai'i County will hold its meeting this Wednesday at 9 a.m. on zoom and live at the County Building in Hilo.                          Commissioner for Kaʻū is Lee McIntosh. On the agenda are such items as determining a new distance from all public and private sewer lines and properties that would require owners of properties to connect. The current distance is 300 feet. 

    The commission will also discuss the refinement of new agreements where there are public/private partnerships for county wastewater projects. 

    Another item is a proposal to create a county Sewer Connection Special Fund to help homeowners who cannot afford to hook up to sewers. 

    Another is to look into  EPA Technical Assistance Program to address innovative financing strategies such as enterprise funds, franchise organizations, Energy Saving Performance Contracts, and Service Contracts.
    Another proposal is for the County to establish an EPA Technical Assistance Program to address innovative financing strategies such as enterprise funds, franchise organizations, Energy Saving Performance Contracts, and Service Contracts.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.  

PĀHALA RESIDENTS ARE REMINDED TO MAIL BACK RIGHT-OF-ENTRY AGREEMENTS FOR NEW SEWER LINES FOR OLD PLANTATION PROPERTIES. The project to hook up to a new wastewater treatment system will begin soon. County Department of Environmental Management sent out letters with Construction Right-of-Entry Agreements for the New Sewer Collection System for property owners to sign. Most of the homes are from the old days of the sugar plantation and are on a system that leads to gang cesspools, which are now illegal under federal wastewater laws.
    The letter from Deputy Director of Environmental Management Brenda Iokepa-Moses says, the agency "is moving forward with the construction of a new sewer collection system that will connect or make your parcel accessible to a package wastewater treatment plant. DEM is requesting permission for a Right-of-Entry onto your property, for the purpose of planning, design, and constructing the sewer system improvements, closing out the existing large capacity cesspool (LCC), and restoration of impacted site features. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2025 and the County has entered into an administrative order on consent (AOC) to complete these works and close out the LCC in 2027.
    "The County has successfully secured a $12 million federal grant and additional funding for this project that will provide wastewater treatment that is protective of surface water and underground sources of drinking water for 174 properties in Pāhala. The ability to access your property is necessary for the County to remain in compliance with the AOC."
    Questions can be directed to Mark Grant – Wastewater Division Project Coordinator and (TA) Deputy Chief at (808) 961-8589 or via email at MarkJ.Grant@hawaiicounty.gov.
    See www.dem.hawaiicounty.gov/projects for more information and status updates on both the Pāhala and Nā'ālehu  sewer projects.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.