2018-06-27 Meeting Minutes (EMC)

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Chair Bennett said the chemistry is easy to conceptualize, but a realistic model needs to be tested. Director Kucharski said that is what is being done. Chair Bennett said he is a little frustrated. He has been asking about this for over a year and has been assured they’re doing it, but he still hasn’t seen the data. Director Kucharski said preliminary data is not released until it has gone through a whole review process. The design and all the parameters for the experimentation are being checked, validated, and peer reviewed. Until that process has been completed, the designers are not willing to release preliminary data. He just asks for patience. Chair Bennett said he hopes that at some point the data will come before the EMC, and that they won’t have to wait to read it in the EIS. Director Kucharski said once the design is completed and all the data, analysis, and process for the design parameters have been gone through, he can provide it to the EMC for their review. He cannot provide anything until it is peer reviewed and the designers are comfortable with what they’re saying. Chair Bennett said he would just like to know that at some point, the EMC will see the information. Director Kucharski said he will provide the design parameters and the test results and data for their review. 6. REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE a. Director’s Report Director Kucharski started off with saying that his heart goes out to the commissioners (Jon Olson and Susie Osborne) and their neighbors who have lost their homes and are suffering in the ongoing lava disaster. He thanked them for being here, and he handed out FEMA information so they could pass it on to anyone who may need it. FEMA staff has been very helpful and supportive. They have indicated this is one of the best organized efforts with the most support received from the local governments in their memory. The fact that lives have not been lost is an absolute credit to the people of the county. There has been great loss, but it could have been so much worse. He provided brief updates: • The Asset Management Plan for the Wastewater Division has been ongoing. The team hired by the EPA will be looking at all of DEM’s wastewater operations, including doing a sewer rate study. He will be pushing forward on a sewer rate increase. If the current rate is doubled, Hawaiʻi County will still be the cheapest in the state. • He met with septic haulers in May because there was dissatisfaction with the process of disposal at Kealakehe. DEM made several changes, but the biggest and simplest change involved purchasing a cell phone for the