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May 10, 2005
LETTER TO NA'ALEHU COMMUNITY HOMEOWNERS
Dear Homeowners:
This is an informational letter regarding the conversion of the private sewer system and gang cesspools
to a County managed and ovmed sewer system. Although the April 5, 2005 deadline to convert has
passed, C. Brewer and Company, Ltd. ("CBCL") and the County of Hawaii ("COH") continue to work
together to comply with the EPA mandate to shut down gang cesspools in the area.
The COH passed Resolution N 72-05 authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement for the
acceptance of money and the donation of land from CBCL for the creation of new community sewer
system at Pahala and Na'alehu. Additionally, CBCL has informed the EPA San Francisco office of our
jOi.^.t pl2n wilt? tt`e COH th2t is csrrently be,ng das~;ned and vlill soon be implemented.
Please be aware that Na'alehu and Pahala sewer systems are not the only ones that were not
converted prior to the EPA deadline. In fact, there are dozens of communities around the island and
the State that still have to close their old cesspool systems and convert to a new sewer system or
septic system as we are doing in this community. The EPA mandate regarding gang cesspool affected
the State of Hawaii more than any other State in the Union.
We are fortunate to have concerned and helpful Council Leaders, County operating staff, and the
Mayor himself who are all dedicated to resolving this island wide issue.
For the residents of the Na'alehu community, there are some important issues regarding the proposed
Location of sewer lines and or the use of household pumps possibly needing to be installed on some of
the properties.
We hope you can attend this meeting on May 18, 2005 and listen to some of the alternatives.
C. Brewer and Company, Ltd. County of Hawalt
C
Cross Dennls Tulanp
~!leePr!~stden!-P.~tE.p~te Pr~;'=t!<!anager-Lange aFackyCesspoN
Progrem
NOTICE OF COMMUNITY MEETING
WHEN: Wednesday, May 18, 2005
TIME: 6:OOPM
PLACE: Na'alehu Community Center
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Harry Kim Dixie Kaetsu
Mayor Managing Director
~'"%'o:'w~" Peter L. Hendricks
Depury Managing Director
~uuntp of ~aYnai`i
25 Aupuni Street, Room 2l5 Hilo, Hawai `i 96720-0252 • (808) 961-821 I Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA' 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 103 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
x808) 739-5235 Fay (808)326-5553
November 5, 2004
LETTER TO COMMUNITY HOMEOWNERS
Dear Homeowners:
On August 31, 2004, I sent a letter to you informing you of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's regulations, which require the elimination of large capacity
cesspools by April 5, 2005.
In the packet provided, we explained the sewer systems alternatives for Pahala and
Na'alehu communities. Also included was a ballot card for you and the community to
vote on one of four alternatives.
We are in receipt of 189 returned ballot cards. An overwhelming majority voted for
Alternative 1, with 165 votes or 87% of the ballots cast. We believe that Alternative I
was the best Altemative for the community. We are happy to see that so many ,
members of the community agree.
Altemative No. 1 involves the construction of new sewers with manholes in the streets
and a community septic tank system where the existing gang cesspools are located.
The entire wastewater system would be owned and maintained by the County. All of
the construction costs will be financed with Federal, State, County and C. Brewer
funds. No design or construction costs will be charged to the homeowners including
the costs for connecting each house to the sewer line in the street. However, there will
be a County sewer user fee of about $15.00 to $20.00 per month.
The County of Hawaii, ILWU and C. Brewer and Company, Ltd. will now move
forward to implement the preliminary design of the new County of Hawaii managed
sewer system for Pahala and Na'alehu.
This is a good decision for the community, a good decision to protect the environment
and our ground water resources. Thank you for your participation. We will be
contacting you as we begin the design and implementation of the new sewer system.
November 5, 2004
Letter to Community Homeowners
Page 2
Should you have any questions regarding this letter or information on the alternatives,
please call Dennis Tulang at 808/497-4360.
Al ,
Cv-"
Harry
K~
MAYOR
Cc: Bob Jacobson, Councilman
Russell Kokubun, State Senator
Robert Herkes, House of Representative, District 5
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Harry Kim DixieKaetsu
Mayor Managing Director
"~'o:'M~" Peter L. Hendricks
Deputy Managing Director
~uurttp flf ~aiuai`i
25 Aupuni Street, Room 215 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4252 • (808) 961-8211 Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite l03 • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808) 329-`i226 Fax. (808) 326-5663
August 31, 2004
Dear Homeowner: 3 `(J 0 ~ 1 tii
The purpose of this letter is to inform you of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's
regulations which require the elimination of large capacity cesspools by April 5, 2005. The
property you own is currently served by a sewer system which disposes of the wastewater into
large capacity cesspools. This system must be replaced with one acceptable to the State
Department of Health and the EPA.
There are four possible alternatives for modifying the existing wastewater system to comply
with the federal regulations. Since this is a community sewer system, the sewered community
must vote on the preferred wastewater alternative. The one that receives a majority vote will
be implemented. Community meetings were recently held on August 11, 2004 in Naalehu
and August 12, 2004 in Pahala to discuss the four alternative wastewater systems. While
some of the affected homeowners were nat able to attend these meetings, information about
the altematives has been included with this letter. Also, a ballot has been included with this
letter. You need to select only one of the four alternatives presented and mail the ballot
provided. Please return the ballot by September 24, 2004.
As mayor of the County of Hawaii, I have been meeting with representatives of C. Brewer
and the ILWU to find solutions to this wastewater problem. We believe that the alternative
wastewater systems presented represent viable solutions. While we are recommending
Alternative No. 1 as the preferred altemative, the County is committed to assist in
implementing the alternative selected by the majority of the community.
Should you have any questions regarding this letter or information on the altematives, please
call Dennis Tulang at 808/497-4360.
Alo a, ~
Harry Kim
MAYOR
Enclosures
Hawaii County is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
SEWER ALTERNATIVES FOR NAALEHU COMMUNITY
RESPONSIBLE COSTS HOMEOWNER
ALTERNATIVE DESCRIPTION PARTY DE IGN CONSTRUCTION COSTS
(CBCL) (Federal, State 8 County)
t Construct new 6" sewers with manholes County (700%) $350,000 $1.6 million $15-20/month
County takeover in the streets
of entire sewer
system Construct new community septic tank system
2 Construct community septic tank system County (Septic Tank/6" sewer) $78.000 $165,000 $10/rrwnih
County takeover Community (4"sewer) plus cost for
of existing 6" Construct new/modify manholes 4' sewer
sewers only maintenance
Repair existing 4" and 6" sewers
Reroute existing 6" sewers around obstructions
County owns and maintains septic tank
antl 6" sewers
Community owns and maintains 4" sewers
3 Construct new community septic tank system County (Septic Tank) $58,000 $100,000 $10/month
County does Community (100% sewer) plus cost for
not takeover Repair existing sewer pipe and vent defects existing sewer
any sewers maintenance
Existing sewers owned and maintained by
the community
County owns and maintains septic tank system
4 Construct cesspools for each resitlence Homeowner $2,000/home $1000 plus cost
Individual far cesspool
Cesspools Close existing community cesspools and maintenance
sewer system
11UG ~f 2tlo~
R NMLEHU COMMUNITY
HOMEOWNER PROS/CONS
N CONSTRUCTION COSTS PROS CONS
(Federal, State 8 County)
)0 $1.6 million $75-20/month Completely new Highest capital cost
sewer system
Monthly user fee
Entire system
County ownetl
and operated
No capital cost
assessment to
homeowner
$165,000 $70/month Low capital cost Community owns and
plus cost for maintains the 4" sewers
4" sewer Minimum construction
maintenance impact User charge fee
($10/month)
County owns and
maintains septic
tank antl 6° Sewers
No capital cost
assessment to
homeowner
$100,000 $10/month Lowest capital cost Community owns and
plus cost for maintains the entire
existing Sewer Minimum construction Sewer System
maintenance impact
User charge fee
County owns and ($10/month)
maintains septic
tank
No capital cost
assessment to
homeowner
$2,000/home $7000 plus cost No community sewer Hardship for
for cesspool system homeowners with small
maintenance loss
No sewer user fee
Highest construction
impact
Highest capital cost to
homeowner ($1000)
Homeownerowns and
maintains the cesspool
Least environmentally
sound
.~UC- >i 2or.S
Questions and Answers Re9arding Sewer Svstem Alternatives
For Na'alehu and Pahala Communities
On August 11t" and 12~h, 2004, C. Brewer Company, Limited and representatives
from the County of Hawaii and ILWU made presentations to the Na'alehu and
Pahala residents trim are currently connected to our sewer system and gang
cesspools.
During the presentation, those in attendance raised several questions. Since
both communities raised almost identical questions, the following answers are
presented to both communities. The following is a summary of the concerns or
questions raised by members of the community.
Question #1:
Why do we have to disconnect from the plantation run sewer system?
Answer #1:
Two reasons, by Federal mandate, the Environmental Protection Agency has
required that all large capacity "gang" cesspools must be closed by April 2005.
Both Pahala and Na'alehu communities sewer systems empty into gang
cesspools. Another reason is that C. Brewer Company, Limited and Ka'u
Agribusiness is going out of business. The company will be closing its doors in
the near future and will not be able to manage the sewer systems.
Question #2 -Alternative 1:
In the presentation, the homeowners cost were estimated at $15.00 - $20.00 per
month. is there anyway you could let us know a more specific cost?
Answer #2:
The cost per month all depends on the cost to install, operate and maintain the
systems, and approved by the County Council. Based on the size of the system
and the estimates from the engineer„ the estimate between $15.00 - $20.00 per
month is the best we can provide to you.
Question #3 -Alternative 1:
Will the cost quoted be higher?
Answer #3:
As presented at the meeting, residents in Hilo connected to a fully staffed
sewage treatment plant with high energy usage pay approximately $29.00 per
month. It is unlikely that the County of Hawaii operated community septic tank
system for Pahala and Na'alehu would be close to or higher than residents in
Hilo.
1
Question #4 -Alternative 1:
If I use a lot of water, will my monthly cost go up?
Answer #4:
No, after checking with the County Waste Water Division, we are happy to report
that they have confirmed there is no link in water usage and sewer fees for
residential users. Everyone will be paying the same rate, no matter how much
water is used.
Question #5 -Alternative 1:
If Alternative 1 is selected, will the residents be required to connect to the new
system?
Answer #5:
Yes, once a county system is installed in front or near your home, you will need
to connect. Please be aware however, that the cost for the service laterals that
connect to the County sewer lines will be funded by C. Brewer and Company,
Limited. The homeowner will not need to pay for this cost.
Question #6 -Alternative 2 and 3:
Why is C. Brewer Company, Limited not contributing to Altemative 2 and 3 as
they are for Altemative 1?
Answer #6:
In Alternative 2 and 3, the County will only take over only a op rtion of the sewer
system and septic tank. The rest ot` the existing system would remain in place to
be managed by a community association. If the community chooses either
options 2 or 3 as it's desired system, C. Brewer and Company, Limited is willing
to contribute "seed" money so that the community association would have a
reserve if it needed to repair or replace some of the old lines. C. Brewer has
always been willing to contribute the same amount towards resolving the gang
cesspool problems.
Question #7 -Alternative 4:
Last year the company presented to us that the cesspool would cost about
$1,750.00 of which $1,000.00 was to be paid by C. Brewer. In the current
proposal, we note the homeowner is to put up $1,000. Why is it different?
Answer #7:
Last year, we had a quote based on $1,750.00 per cesspool. But since then, the
contractor has rescinded his bid. The average cost to construct a cesspool has
been estimated at $2,000.00, it is just an estimate.
2
Question #8 -Alternative 4:
If someone's cesspool cost $5,000 to dig, is C. Brewer going to pay $1, 000 and
the homeowner responsible for the rest?
Answer #8:
C. Brewer Company, Limited got quotes to dig individual cesspools as low as
$1,200 and as high as $5,500 per hole. This has been a real problem to deal
with since we do not know the difficulties that each lot may experience. Should
Alternative 4 be selected, the only fair way to handle this is to "pool" all monies
together so that individual cesspools that are easy and inexpensive to construct
help pay for those homeowner's cesspools that require much more work and
cost.
Question #9 -Alternative 4:
If a cesspool is to be constructed on my lot, who will be responsible for removing
stonewalls, fences or other structures?
Answer #9:
The homeowner will be required to remove all structures, fences and materials
that interfere with the construction of the cesspool. It has become apparent that
individual cesspools may be impossible to construct on some lots. For these
reasons, Alternative 4 seems to be the least practical.
Question #10:
What was the result of the smoke test?
Answer #10:
The primary reason for the smoke test was to find the condition of the lines so
that possibly, the County of Hawaii could take over the system as it presently
stands. Based on the smoke tests, the County has determined that it cannot
accept the sewer system in its current state. As such Alternatives 1, 2 & 3 were
developed. The smoke test was performed to find out how good the existing
system is. In Na'alehu, we discovered that the 6" main lines are in fairly good
shape. Several of the 4" sub-main lines had breaks and leaks. We also found
that several of the manholes need to be renovated. In Pahala we found that
almost all the lines are in poor condition. Additionally, there are no manholes to
service the system.
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