Communication Reports and Council Oversight Committee Meeting - Feb 3, 2026
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Communication Reports and Council Oversight Committee Meeting - February 3, 2026
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.
Consent Calendar
- Communication 712: The committee moved to close the file on Communication 712, a request from Councilmember Michelle Galimba regarding the Department of Environmental Management's wastewater projects. The motion, moved by Councilmember Kagiwada and seconded by Councilmember Houstis, passed with 8 votes in favor, excusing the absent Councilmember Kleinfelder.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Alan Fukamizu (DEm licensed wastewater operator, UPW B1 Chief Steward):
- POSITION: Expressed full support for stricter operational readiness and expressed full opposition to the current lack of documented safety protocols.
- ARGUMENTS: Stated that EPA compliance requires operational readiness, including written SOPs, confined space classifications, and rescue planning. He argued that the absence of these documents weakens the County's compliance posture and exposes the public to avoidable risks. He noted that the Office of Information Practices flagged the DEM's Public Records response as deficient.
- REQUEST: Asked the committee to direct DEM to provide a date-certain report on a complete written confined space and lockout/tag-out safety package, including interim directives until the package is complete, defaulting entries to full permit-required protocols in the meantime.
Discussion Items
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Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation (Phase 1 & 2):
- PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Phase 1 involves replacing/rehabilitating critical facilities including headworks, sedimentation tanks, and anaerobic digesters. Phase 2 involves replacing secondary treatment with an activated sludge process.
- TIMELINE & COST: Phase 2 has a compliance deadline of June 30, 2035. An estimated cost of plus or minus $100 million was cited, but Director Mark Grant clarified this estimate is outdated (2024) and has not been updated for current dollar values.
- STATUS: Phase 1 is in material procurement; Phase 2 has 100% design but lacks a submitted building permit.
- STAFFING: The committee discussed the need for proactive hiring and training, with staff joining early to participate in the startup process.
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Pahala Wastewater Collection System:
- STATUS: Currently 29% complete. The contractor is Good Fellows.
- Pahala Treatment Plant: In the process of awarding a bid to the apparent low bidder, Alpha Inc.
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Naalehu Large Capacity Cesspool Closer:
- STATUS: Currently in the design phase. The project aims to construct a collection system and treatment plant to close county-owned cesspools.
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Kula Waiwaio Stream & Papako Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehab:
- STATUS: Both projects are in the design phase. Kula Waiwaio has a design consultant (Kennedy/Jinx), while Papako is still seeking a design contract.
- TIMELINE: Aiming for completion in 2030 (Kula) and 2031 (Papako).
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Hilo Force Main Installation (Pua Puhala):
- STATUS: Phase 1 (redundant force main) is at 100% design; Phase 2 (rehab existing) is at 90%. Currently pending environmental reviews (Section 106/7).
- RISK: Councilmember Onishi raised concerns that if environmental requirements are rejected, the county could lose funds already spent on the design.
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Hale Hali Force Main Replacement:
- STATUS: 21% complete. Contract awarded to Alpha Inc. with a construction cost of $6.5 million. The goal is to complete by October 2026 to avoid conflict with the Ironman event.
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Resource & Compliance Concerns:
- COUNCIL CONCERNS: Councilmembers expressed concerns regarding the sufficiency of time, staffing, and financial resources to meet EPA deadlines, particularly noting the risk of fines if deadlines are missed. Director Nakagawa (Finance) acknowledged significant challenges and the critical nature of timing for a nearly $1 billion portfolio of projects.
- ACTION REQUESTED: Councilmember Kirkwitz requested a comprehensive spreadsheet tracking all projects, status, costs, and timelines to assist in budget planning.
- COMPLIANCE STRATEGY: Councilmembers noted that while the EPA allows for time extension requests (already in process for Pahala and Naalehu), they prefer to avoid extensions and emphasized the need for strict monitoring.
Key Outcomes
- Motion Passed: The file on Communication 712 was closed with a unanimous 8-0 vote.
- Directives:
- Councilmember Kirkwitz requested that DEM provide a comprehensive spreadsheet detailing the status, costs, and timelines of all wastewater projects for future budget planning.
- Councilmember Kirkwitz directed Finance and DEM to develop a clearer financial plan showing overlapping projects, funding sources, and projected spend for the council's review.
- DEM agreed to compile the requested data and provide updates, with Councilmember Onishi requesting a separate brief session to discuss specific issues regarding the Hilo force main project.
- Staffing: The committee emphasized the need for early hiring and training of operators to participate in the startup of new facilities.
- AOC Compliance: The committee discussed the tight deadlines for Pahala and Naalehu, acknowledging that time extensions must be justified with a mitigation plan and approved by the EPA to avoid fines.
Meeting Transcript
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.
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