HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0159.125 2024-2026` Tristie Licoan, Chair
William Sanborn
C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D. �,�+t" °`•"4e,
Ruth Smith
Mayor
Josephine Tanimoto
•� �+
Julia Alos
• -
Kevin McLaughlin
Scott Nagata� Vice -Chair
Vacant
Karen Anderson
County of Hawaii
SOUTH KOHALA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE
Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720
(808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742
May 19, 2025 �• C
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Hawaii County Council -r
Hawaii County Building
25 Aupuni Street -
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Hilo, HI 96720
Subject: Recommended CIP Request for Community -Initiated Cesspool Closure co
Project. From Community Action to County Commitment: Investing in Reef
Protection and Public Health in Puak6
Dear Chairman Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba and Members of the Hawaii County Council,
At its duly held meeting on May 15, 2025, the South Kohala Action Committee ("AC") unanimously
approved recommending a $1,000,000 CIP appropriation to support a community -initiated cesspool
closure project in Puak6. This recommendation supports both the nonprofit Puak6 for Reefs (PFF,
puako4reefs.org), formed by the Puak6 community to address severe reef degradation caused by onsite
sewage systems as well as the County's Regional Wastewater Master Plan for Puak6 and Other
Communities within South Kohala (AECOM 2024).
Hawai`i's coral reefs are critical to its environment, economy, and culture. Home to over 7,000 species-
25% endemic —they provide nursery grounds for marine life, cultural sustenance, and billions in tourism
revenue annually. Puak6 reef's health underpins the South Kohala resorts - Mauna Kea, Westin Hapuna,
Fairmont Orchid, and Auberge at Mauna Lani. The reef also sustains traditional Hawaiian cultural and
fishing practices and is the strongest fortification against storm surge in the protection of shorelines and
-communities. Yet, coral coverage on the Puak6 reef has plummeted from 70% coverage -50 years ago to
7% today due to wastewater contamination. Decades of scientific studies confirm this trend, and urgent
action is needed to avoid irreversible collapse below the 5% threshold, which is predicted within ten
years.
This CIP request would launch a revolving fund, administered by the County Finance Department, to
front the costs required to establish a Community Facilities District (CID) for Puak6. Once the CFD is in
place, its bond issuance (or USDA loan/grant) would repay the fund, making capital available for other
community wastewater projects in future years. The Puak6 sewer project —identified as a Priority I
cesspool conversion area —will be the fund's first and only use, until replenished by the CFD's bond
Comm. No. S
F,ef. To:
Ref. Dai AY 2 2 2025
proceeds, with estimated pre -construction and CFD startup costs totaling $1 million, including detailed
engineering, environmental review, and legal and financial consultation. `
PFR has already raised $250,000 in donations from community members over the past two years for
initial planning, on top of the $2,500,000 donated by the community since 2012 for scientific studies,
design work, and community engagement. County support is now essential to move into the project
implementation phase.
Protecting nearshore waters and closing cesspools are top County priorities. Puako's low elevation and
shallow water table make it the most critical site for action. Public access to this reef —via nine County -
owned paths and the State boat ramp —makes this a shared resource whose protection benefits all.
We urge the County to act on this high -impact, cost -recoverable opportunity and approve this CIP
request.
Respectfully,
Tristie Licoan (May 19, 2025 20:38 EDT)
Tristie Licoan, Chair
South Kohala Action Committee
CC: James Hustace, Hawaii County Council member, District 9
Karen Anderson, Board Chair, Puako for Reefs