Construction of a new wastewater collection system is underway in Pahala, marking a key milestone in Hawaii County’s effort to shut down large capacity cesspools, or LCCs, in the Ka‘u District as required under federal law.
The $30.9 million project, awarded to contractor Goodfellow Bros., began July 7 and was originally expected to be completed by May 11, 2026.
However, Tom Callis, spokesman for the mayor’s office, said that timeline might change.
“At the beginning phase of construction, there was some initial time spent to resolve existing field site condition discrepancies that are likely to impact the project end date,” Callis said. “The county is currently coordinating with the contractor on establishing a new projected end date.”
Work includes exploratory excavation, installation of sewer and water lines, lateral connections to 109 properties currently served by cesspools, and full roadway restoration and paving. An additional 65 properties will become accessible to the new system.
“During the first month of construction, the contractor began initial site activities, such as mobilization, installation of erosion and sediment control measures, traffic control measures, saw-cutting existing pavement, excavation of sewer line alignment, and installation of sewer lines and sewer manholes,” Callis said.
The project is part of a broader, federally mandated effort to close aging cesspools and ensure environmental compliance. Under a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrative order, the county must shut down the Pahala and Na‘alehu LCCs by Jan. 22, 2027.
Callis said the community response to the project has been supportive.
“Stakeholders in the community have given the county positive feedback,” he said. “They understand the county is required to close the large capacity cesspool and are pleased to see progress.”
Once operational, wastewater from the new system will be directed to a centralized treatment plant. Construction of that facility will be handled under a separate contract. Bid solicitation for the plant began June 30.
The closure of LCCs has been a long-standing federal requirement. In 2000, the EPA issued a rule requiring all existing LCCs to shut down by April 5, 2005. The C. Brewer sugar plantation company built and operated the cesspools serving Pahala and Na‘alehu.
C. Brewer asked the county for help closing the cesspools in 2003. By 2010, the county had taken ownership of the existing systems and committed to building new infrastructure. The county’s compliance is guided by the EPA administrative order issued in 2017 and updated in 2022 and 2024.
The next public meeting for the Pahala and Na‘alehu communities regarding the closure of the LCCs is set for 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28, at the Na‘alehu Community Center.
The meeting also is accessible via Zoom at www.zoomgov.com/j/1618563647.
“The meeting is intended for anyone impacted by the closures, we want both the Pahala and Na‘alehu communities to come,” said Christy Swafford, information and education specialist for the Department of Environmental Management.
Swafford added the meeting will have a town hall atmosphere where attendees can learn the latest progress, receive relevant information, and participate in a Q&A throughout the session.
Email Daniel Farr at dfarr@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
