Upgrade Due for Wastewater Plant

Hawaii will spend nearly $20 million to upgrade its Waimanalo Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is owned by the state but operated by the City and County of Honolulu, announced Gov. Linda Lingle

"It's really an embarrassment for the state because we're the ones out fining people for operating waste-water treatment plants that don't meet standards, and yet our plant doesn't meet standards, our plant is overflowing, our plant is polluting the environment," Lingle said.

The upgrade will allow transferring of the ownership of the facility to the city, said Peter Young, director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. The upgrade also will expand the facility's capacity and allow it to operate more efficiently, said City Environmental Services Director Tim Houghton.

"We have a lot of people out here still on cesspools because we haven't been able to allow or provide collection systems for people to connect to," Houghton said. "And you also can't build more Hawaiian Home Lands or other homes here because there is no sewage. So this will allow those things to happen."

Former Gov. Ben Cayetano included the money to upgrade the Waimanalo plant in the final capital improvement budget he submitted to the state Legislature in December 2002. But Lingle cut all but $1.4 million from Cayetano's request when she took office, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin reported.

Last December, she asked lawmakers to restore the remaining $18.6 million. The money will be available July 1, 2005. Lingle also signed into law three environmental protection bills.

According to the Dept. of Land & Natural Resources,

• Senate Bill 2968, CD1, is expected to make it easier for the state to enforce rules governing the use of state natural resources. Instead of having to criminally prosecute violators, the law will allow the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to impose civil penalties.
• House Bill 2375, SD1, makes the improper dumping of solid waste a Class C felony, which carries a maximum five-year prison term. The new law allows fines of up to $50,000 for each offense.
• Senate Bill 2782, CD1, gives more financing options to landowners who participate in state habitat conservation plans for the protection of endangered species.

Source: The Honolulu Star-Bulletin