HomeMy WebLinkAboutPahala Connections newsletter - Issue 1 (July 2020)History
Planning Phase
(2017-2020)
Design Phase
(2020-2022)
Construction Phase
(2022-2024)
We Are Listening. This newsletter is intended to enable communication and provide transparency.
The community’s past input on the Pahala project has been very valuable, so please continue to share your
thoughts and contact us if you have a topic you would like to see in future newsletter issues.
ISSUE 1 • JULY 2020
Keeping Pahala informed about community wastewater improvements.
https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/departments/environmental-management
808-961-8086 • cohdem@hawaiicounty.gov
William A. Kucharski, Director
I hope you and your
families are staying
healthy and safe during
these challenging times.
We want to update
the community on the
Pahala sewer project
since we last met in
March 2019. We hope
you find this newsletter
informative and helpful.
2018
Draft EA published; Public
meetings: Information and
impacts to homeowners
2010
Hawaii County takes over wastewater
operations from C. Brewer
1996
Kau Sugar
Company closes
2005
EPA requires
closure of all LCCs
2017
PROJECT STARTS
2025
All properties connected
to the new system
2019
Public meeting:
Financing options
2020
EA process complete;
design-related fieldwork
2022
Collection system
design complete
2024
Collection system
construction complete
2021
WWTP design complete
2023
WWTP construction
complete; LCCs closedPublic meetings:
Information and
consultation
Current status
A Long Awaited Solution
Timeline
The current wastewater collection system was built nearly three-quarters
of a century ago. The outdated system still moves sewage from about 109
lots through substandard backyard lines to two Large Capacity Cesspools
(LCCs). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found cesspools
can release disease-causing pathogens and pollutants into groundwater,
streams, and the ocean; and required the closure of existing LCCs by April
2005. In 2010, the Hawaii County, Dept. of Environmental Management,
Wastewater Division (Hawaii County) took over the responsibility to
close the LCCs in Pahala. In March 2020, the State of Hawaii, Office of
Environmental Quality Control published a Final Environmental Assessment
(EA) that resulted in a Finding of No Significant Impact (available on our
website). This major milestone allows the County to move ahead!
The existing sewer system is harmful to our health and
environment. The new Pahala Wastewater Treatment
Plant (WWTP) will help protect the environment and
promote propagation of native plants and trees in
constructed wetlands and tree groves.
Pahala
WWTP 1. Collection System
2. Headworks and
Operations Building
3. Constructed Wetland
4. Aerated Lagoons
5. UV Disinfection
6. Native Tree Groves
N
COLLECTION SYSTEM
What’s coming up in Pahala
Pahala residents will soon see County consultants
in the community doing field work. Surveyors will
collect information that will be used to design the
new collection system. One of their tasks will be to
look at properties connected to the LCCs and locate
where “dry” sewer pipes were installed a decade
ago. This will show how the County can connect
these homes to the new system and close the LCCs.
Affected property owners received a request for entry
from either the surveyors or the County.
Rich cultural resources exist throughout Pahala. We
know the community is concerned about how the
project might impact these resources. Archaeologists
are working to locate and inventory historically
significant sites throughout the project area. The
results of their efforts are on our website.
We submitted a plan to the Department of Land
and Natural Resources’ State Historic Preservation
Division (SHPD) for archaeological monitoring
during ground disturbing work. The plan makes sure
cultural and historical resources encountered will be
properly handled.
Geotechnical engineers and scientists are studying
conditions under Pahala’s ground surface. In 2019, a
field crew used non-invasive electrical resistivity
and ground penetrating radar technology to look
for lava tubes. Another team will be coming to
town to collect drilled rock samples. This will allow
the project team to map lava tube pathways and
identify strategies to avoid or protect lava tubes at
the design stage.
Mahalo to the Pahala Community for your
response, engagement and patience!MAMALAHOA HIGHWAYEXISTING COOK
PINE TREES
Hawaii County will replace the aging wastewater
system with new collection pipelines, secondary
treatment, and a land application facility.
Project Map
1
4 44 4
3
6
5
2
Non-invasive Ground Penetrating Radar
technology will help find lava tubes and
protect underground cultural sites.