The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2000 published a rule requiring the closure of all existing large capacity cesspools (LCCs) by April 5, 2005. In Ka‘ū, the sugar plantation company C. Brewer built and operated large capacity cesspools connected to properties in Pāhala and Nā‘ālehu. In 2003, C. Brewer requested assistance from the County of Hawai‘i to close the large capacity cesspools.  In 2010, the County of Hawai'i agreed to assume ownership of the existing collection system and large capacity cesspools with the goal of constructing a new and improved wastewater treatment system for Pāhala and Nā‘ālehu. In furtherance of those goals the County of Hawai‘i, under the Administrative Order on Consent issued in 2017, revised in 2022 and again in 2024, is closing the large capacity cesspools in Pāhala and Nā‘ālehu.

 

UPDATES

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• The next public meeting will be held Thursday February 19th, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Pāhala Community Center (96-1149 Kamani St.)
• Received EPA approval and a revised compliance deadline to submit the Nā‘ālehu EID from January 20, 2026, to May 21, 2027.
• A quarterly meeting with the EPA was held on January 20th, 2026.
• Received EPA approval and a revised compliance deadline to submit the Nā‘ālehu EID from April 24, 2025, to January 20, 2026.
• Finalizing Environmental Assessment (EA)/Environmental Information Document (EID).
• Completing design incorporating C. Brewer System.
• Acquiring land for the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• The final deadline for the County to close the large capacity cesspools is December 31, 2027. 

 

FAQs

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Is this a legally mandated project?
Yes. The project is part of the County’s obligations under an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) with the EPA. Visit our Regulatory Documents and Filings page to view all documents.

How can the public track compliance?
Visit our Regulatory Documents and Filings page to view compliance reports and other documents.

When is the next public meeting?
The next semiannual meeting for both communities will be held Thursday February 19, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Pāhala Community Center (96-1149 Kamani St)..