The Communication Reports and Council Oversight Committee convened on February 3, 2026, at the Hawaii County Building in Hilo, to receive a status report from the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) regarding wastewater projects mandated by the EPA. The meeting included public testimony from a wastewater operator expressing serious concerns regarding safety documentation and a detailed presentation on the current status, timelines, and challenges of multiple wastewater infrastructure projects across the county, including Hilo, Pahala, Naalehu, Kula, and Papako.
Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation (Phase 1 & 2):
Pahala Wastewater Collection System:
Naalehu Large Capacity Cesspool Closer:
Kula Waiwaio Stream & Papako Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehab:
Hilo Force Main Installation (Pua Puhala):
Hale Hali Force Main Replacement:
Resource & Compliance Concerns:
Good morning. Welcome to the 16th session of the communication reports and council oversight committee. We are at the Hawaii County Building in Hilo, and it is 11:30 a.m. President are Councilmembers Kagiwada, Houstis, Kirkowitz, Oni Shi, Inaba, Viegus, and myself, the chair of this committee. Councilmember Galimba. And absent today is Councilmember Connie Kleinfelder. Councilmember Kimball should be joining us shortly. It's there, but I will turn it over to the clerk for statements from the public. Thank you so much, Madam Chair. We do have one testifier here in the Hilo chamber. Alan Fukomizu. Alan, whenever you're ready to begin, if you could just introduce yourself and you'll have three minutes. Good afternoon. My name is Alan Fukamizu. I'm uh here to give testimony. Uh Chair Galimba and Council members, thank you. My name is Alan Fukamizu. I'm a DEM licensed wastewater operator, UPW B1 Chief Steward for Unit 168. I also hold separate state licensing in drinking water, treatment, and distribution. I'm also 25-year FA license airframe and power plant mechanic. I'm here regarding communication 712. EPA compliance isn't just about construction, it requires operational readiness, written SOPs, documented confined space classifications, integrated lockout tag out, and rescue planning that can be audited and produced on request. The heel wastewater treatment plan is up operating under EP administrative order on consent and enforceable federal compliance order. Under an AOC, the county is expected to demonstrate in writing that operations can be performed safely and consistently, and that required controls are in place. When core ONM and life safety documents aren't complete or readily accessible, the county's compliance posture is weakened and the public exposed to avoidable risks if something goes wrong during routine maintenance or emergency work. For transparency, the Office of Information Practices flagged DEM's UIPA response as deficient records. We're not disclosed and no legal basis for withholding was cited. Every readily requested site-specific written documentation needed for entry, and they're still not available when needed. In aviation, if something isn't documented, it isn't airworthy. In wastewater, if it isn't documented, it isn't safe. Until the written package is complete, entries should be defaulted to full permit required confined space protocols, not informal temporary pathways as we're using now. I'm asking the committee to direct DEM to provide a date certain report back in the complete written confined space and lockout tag out safety package, including rescue planning along with interim written directives that govern entries until the package is complete. Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony. And with that, Chair, those are all the testifiers you have at this time. Thank you, Ellie. Could we read in communication 712, please? Last chance for anyone who would like to testify in communication 712. Hearing and seeing non communication 712 requests of presentation by the Department of Environmental Management regarding the wastewater projects mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency from Councilmember Michelle Galimba, dated January 16, 2026. It's been moved by Councilmember Kagiwada and seconded it by Councilmember Hustis to close file on communication 712. Could the DM please come forward and provide the presentation? Please introduce yourselves to the record for the record. Thank you. I believe I'm on air, is that correct? Yes. Well, good morning to all of you. I haven't seen you since December 17th, I think was the date when I had my final confirmation here. So nice to visit with you again. We've been working really hard on them. We've made nice progress in the last couple of weeks and months.