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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-08 KCDP AC Letter to DEM - Invitation to AC Meeting and Request for InformationCounty of Hawai‘i KONA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN ACTION COMMITTEE Aupuni Center • 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3 • Hilo,96720 (808) 961-8288 • Fax (808) 961-8742 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov planning@hawaiicounty C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D. John Pelletier, Chair Raymond Kirchner Vacant Shane Palacat-Nelsen Charles Young Nancy Pisicchio, Vice Chair Charla Thompson Vacant Roselyn Molina September 8, 2026 Daniel Girvan, Director Department of Environmental Management , Suite 41 Email:cohdem@hawaiicounty.gov Dear Director Girvan: SUBJECT: Request for Update on Kona Wastewater Treatment and Sewer Infrastructure The Kona Community Development Plan (CDP) Action Committee respectfully invites the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to attend a future meeting of the Action Committee to provide an update on wastewater treatment and sewer infrastructure in Kona. The Committee is particularly interested in plans to improve and expand the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant, address environmental compliance, increase treatment capacity, and expand the area served by the public wastewater system. The Committee would appreciate information regarding the DEM’s plans and timelines related to the following: 1.Kealakehe Regional Park:Plans related to the development of the park, including its planned use and infrastructure to facilitate the discharge of appropriately treated effluent. 2.Kona Hospital Complex:Plans to provide public sewer service to the new Kona hospital complex and associated facilities. 3.Expansion of Public Sewer Service:Plans and priorities for expanding public sewer service within the Kona area, including anticipated service areas and infrastructure improvements. Daniel Girvan, Director Department of Environmental Management September 8, 2026 Page 2 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov planning@hawaiicounty 4.Cesspool Conversion:Plans and programs to assist property owners in the Kona area with transitioning from cesspools to compliant wastewater treatment systems, including any available resources, funding, or technical assistance. These matters directly relate to implementation of the 2008 Kona Community Development Plan, as amended, particularly Policies PUB-4.4, PUB-4.5, and PUB-4.6, which establish priorities for sewer expansion, wastewater treatment, and effluent reuse. Among other provisions, the Kona CDP calls for expansion of the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant to accommodate projected sewage volumes from priority sewer areas, updating the sewerage master plan to serve the entire Kona Urban Area, and development of a comprehensive wastewater reclamation system that maximizes beneficial reuse. The Committee notes that these issues are closely connected to several specific Kona CDP implementation actions assigned to DEM, including Action PUB-4.4c, which calls for updating the sewerage master plan to serve the entire Kona Urban Area, with priority given to Transit- Oriented Development areas and areas within approximately one mile of the shoreline; Action PUB-4.5a, which calls for master planning the expansion of the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant; and Action PUB-4.5c, which calls for master planning a comprehensive wastewater reclamation system to maximize reuse. The Kona CDP also recognizes the relationship between wastewater management and protection of Kona’s natural resources. The Plan identifies pollution from cesspools and septic systems as a potential threat to groundwater, anchialine ponds, and nearshore coastal waters. The Committee believes that understanding DEM’s current and long-range wastewater plans is important not only for accommodating planned growth, but also for protecting coastal water quality, conserving potable water supplies, and ensuring that public infrastructure investments are coordinated with the Kona CDP’s land use and growth framework. A presentation and discussion with DEM would provide the Committee and the public with a clearer understanding of existing system conditions and capacity, planned improvements, environmental considerations, funding needs, implementation timelines, and the relationship between wastewater infrastructure investments and implementation of the Kona CDP. Please let us know whether you or other appropriate DEM representatives would be available to participate in a future Kona CDP Action Committee meeting. Planning Department staff can coordinate with your office regarding possible meeting dates, presentation needs, and other logistics. Please contact the Planning Department’s Community Planning Section at CDP@hawaiicounty.gov. We appreciate the Department’s consideration of this request and look forward to the opportunity to hear directly from DEM regarding these important wastewater infrastructure priorities for the Kona community. Daniel Girvan, Director Department of Environmental Management September 8, 2026 Page 3 www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov planning@hawaiicounty Mahalo for your continued work to protect public health and the environment and to provide reliable wastewater services for the community. John Pelletier, Chair Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee JH \\hawaiicounty.gov\depts\PL\PL\planning\public\wpwin60\CDP\CDP - Kona\Action Committee\Meetings\2026\2026 Letters cc: Kimo Alameda, Mayor William Brilhante, Managing Director Craig Kawaguchi, DEM Deputy Director Chris Laude, DEM Wastewater Division Chief Jeffrey Darrow, Planning Director Bethany Morrison, Long Range Planning Program Manager