INVESTIGATING HAWAIʻI’S CESSPOOL OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION: KAHALUʻU AS A CASE STUDY

Abstract

To address the wastewater pollution in Kahaluʻu and statewide, Act 125 was signed intolaw in 2017 to replace all cesspools in Hawaiʻi by 2050. Scientists and researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi and environmental nonprofits such as Surfrider are actively sampling the water quality at Kahaluʻu Beach, as well as other bodies of water throughout Hawaiʻi. Under DOH criteria in 2017, Kahaluʻu had been identified as a Priority 1 Area with 740 cesspools in the area contributing to high levels of bacteria (Hawaiʻi State Department of Health, 2017). This may lead to: a disruption to coral in coastal waters, contamination of groundwater and drinking water, and harm towards human health. Through semi-structured and unstructured interviews, surveys, policy research and direct observation, I examined the knowledge, barriers, motivations, considerations, and perceived importance of the residents and homeowners in Kahaluʻu, as well as decision makers regarding cesspool management and water pollution impacts. This is important for legislators and public health professionals regarding water resource management for human and ecological health, and to incorporate environmental justice within this decision-making process. Environmental justice is important because it aims to redistribute decision-making power to marginalized communities to support equity in terms of accessing life-supporting resources and protections from hazards (Foster & Cole, 2000). Also, using Kahaluʻu as a case study, this study provides surveying and interviewing framework that may be considered for potential focus groups, stakeholder discussions, and town hall meetings to engage with homeowners about their concerns and comments.