HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunication No. 2025-06 Puako Reefs NewsletterA Community Dedicated to Saving Puakō Reef
Return the reef to its historic 70% coral coverage from its existing 7%.
www.Puako4reefs.org * Puako for Reefs Facebook
Story map of Puakō: Wahi Pana -A Sacred Place
Puakō for Reefs Q2 2025 Newsletter – updated for Action Committee Meeting
Keep Calm and Coral On
Contents
•Fund Raising Success
•Planned work in 2025
•Get involved
Fund Raising Success
Thanks to the visionary leadership of Gary and
Yucca Rieschel, who provided a generous $50,000
matching grant, we met our $150,000 fundraising
goal through the support of many generous
community members. These funds will directly
support our 2025 initiatives to advance the
removal of wastewater from the Puako Reef via a
sustainable sewer system.
Mahalo nui loa to the Rieschels and to everyone who contributed to this vital effort.
If you missed this opportunity to support the Puako for Reefs, do not worry. There will be more
opportunities in the future.
Steps to a Sewer in Puakō
The list of decisions, agreements, and activities required to implement a sewer system in Puako is
extensive. However, with the commitment of dedicated Puako for Reefs volunteers and the generous
support of our donors, meaningful progress is being made.
As a reminder, the Puako community has independently funded ALL efforts to date to design and
build a sewer system in Puako—an investment totaling nearly $3 million.
We recognize that both the State and County face significant wastewater challenges and have limited
funding resources. During our meeting with the mayor and his team, we made it clear that we are not
requesting financial support at this time. Instead, we are asking for collaboration, specifically, time and
expertise from the County’s talented staff to help address key questions and work toward an effective,
community-supported solution.
The table below outlines how contributions to PFR will be used and the collaboration we need from the
County.
Collection System Decided Low Pressure System, Orenco or E1.
Communication No. 2025-06
A Community Dedicated to Saving Puakō Reef
Return the reef to its historic 70% coral coverage from its existing 7%.
www.Puako4reefs.org * Puako for Reefs Facebook
Story map of Puakō: Wahi Pana -A Sacred Place
Treatment facility Decided American Waters at Mauna Lani
County to run the collection
system
Discussions PFR is working with the new county administration
to develop an agreement. This will be the first low
pressure system for the county so there are many
things to understand.
Total costs to homeowners
understood
Discussions A PFR hired Financial Consultant is working with
Pederson Engineering, the firm PFR hired to develop
preliminary engineering, to develop a cost analysis
report.
Community Facilities District
(CFD) process initiated with
county
Discussions The CFD is the County mechanism which will be
used to pay for the construction of the system. It
requires cooperation between the federal
government, the county government, the state
government and the community. PFR and a lawyer
are in active discussions with all government parties
and are preparing the application materials.
Agreement by majority of the
community
Discussions PFR is hiring a Hawaii based community outreach
organization to engage with the community to
ensure everyone understands the process, the
solution and the costs. Work begins this summer.
Full engineering and
environmental and cultural
impact studies
This work will begin after the above items are
decided.
Political Support Discussions PFR is meeting or has met with:
• USDA as a potential funder for the construction
costs from their rural development fund.
• The Director of Finance has confirm the CFD
process for Puako.
• The County Directors of Finance, DEM, and
Planning to organize county employees to
support the project.
Mahalo nui to everyone for your continued interest and support. This truly is a community project.
Keep Calm and Coral On
Sincerely, the Puakō for Reefs Board members and volunteers
Andy, Barbara, Dave, Diane, George, Greg, Jerry, John, Jovan, Karen, Marie, Rich, Roy