Funding for New Wastewater System Technology to Reduce Cost of Cesspool Conversion

Hawaii’s 83,000 cesspools are one of the biggest threats to water quality across the state, discharging 52 million gallons a day of sewage into coastal waters. In recent years, Surfrider has played a key role in successfully urging the state government to finally move away from relying on these antiquated and ineffective systems for managing household wastewater. A state-level Cesspool Task Force has been established to develop a workable plan for getting all Hawaii residents off of cesspools by 2050 that includes identifying priority areas for conversion and recommendations for new treatment options. While this work is ongoing, Surfrider has been supporting new legislation every year to further the state’s progress towards meeting the 2050 goal.

Each year, we advocate at the Hawaiʻi State Legislature to bring us closer to this goal. In 2025, we prioritized advancing policies that make cesspool conversion more affordable, alleviating one of the greatest obstacles to transitioning away from cesspools. Our two legislative goals in 2025 include:

Fund UH to evaluate affordable wastewater technologies (HB736)

Hawai‘i can save cesspool owners and governments money by adopting cost-effective wastewater solutions without compromising water quality. Solving Hawaiʻi’s wastewater problem will require innovation as traditional individual wastewater systems may not be the most effective or affordable solutions. This bill establishes a three-year pilot program at the University of Hawaiʻi Water Resources Research Center to test sustainable wastewater solutions. 

Expediting Cesspool Conversions (HB879)

The conversion of cesspools is necessary to protect the health of our state’s water resources, but their is very limited government support to assist homeowners in the process of cesspool conversion. This bill supports the funding of one full time position at the Department of Health of assist with cesspool compliance. Currently the Department of Health is understaffed and unable to provide the necessary support to assist with the conversion of cesspools.

We activated our network, utilizing the results of our three Blue Water Task Force labs and annual Water Quality Reports to build awareness about the impact of cesspool pollution. Year after year we strive to mobilize grassroots advocacy that enables community members to support better cesspool policy and improved wastewater management throughout Hawaii. 

In June 2025, Governor Green signed HB736 (Act 198) and HB879 (Act 188) into law!