Aloha friends and neighbors,

Last Thursday was a big day in the Hawaii State House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection (EEP). In addition to tackling our state’s cesspool crisis, we also took a critical step toward protecting our community from environmental harm by passing HB 969 out of committee.

HB 969, introduced by Representative Quinlan and myself, along with other colleagues, is an essential bill that would prevent a landfill from being sited over an aquifer. This is a basic but crucial safeguard—our aquifers provide drinking water for communities across the state, and we cannot afford to risk contamination. With ongoing concerns about water security and pollution, ensuring that landfills are kept away from our water sources is just common sense. We’ve already seen the devastating consequences of environmental mismanagement at Red Hill. We can’t let history repeat itself. This bill now moves to the next committee (Water for further consideration, and we’ll need strong public support to keep it moving forward.

Following the passage of HB 969, we also had what we jokingly called “Cesspool Day” at EEP! It was a big step forward in tackling our state’s cesspool crisis, as we passed several key bills to modernize wastewater management, protect our water, and help homeowners
transition away from outdated cesspools. Now, these bills are moving on to their next committees for further review.

Here’s where things stand:
HB 879: Aims to provide financial help for homeowners converting their cesspools to safer systems. Next stop: the Water and Land (WAL) Committee.
HB 379: Creates new rules and incentives for cesspool upgrades in high-priority areas. Moving on to WAL.
HB 798: Focuses on stronger oversight to make sure cesspool conversions meet environmental standards.

Also heading to WAL.
HB 376: Expands research into sustainable wastewater solutions. This one is off to the Higher Education (HED) Committee.
HB 734: Supports community education and outreach about cesspool conversion options. Next up: WAL.
HB 736: Offers tax incentives for property owners who switch to modern wastewater systems ahead of deadlines. Going to WAL.
HB 735: Introduces creative financing options to speed up cesspool conversion statewide. WAL is next.
HB 1421: Heads straight to the Finance (FIN) Committee. It establishes a grant program to help low- and moderate-income homeowners cover the costs of upgrading their wastewater systems.
HB 749: Also moves directly to FIN. It directs state funding toward infrastructure investments in areas where centralized wastewater systems are needed.

These bills are part of a major push to phase out the more than 80,000 remaining cesspools across the state. Cesspools are a serious threat to our drinking water, reefs, and public health, and with the 2050 deadline for conversion approaching, we need to act now.

If you care about clean water and a healthier environment, now is the time to get involved! Head to capitol.hawaii.gov and create an account so you can submit testimony—either in writing or in person (virtual testimony is an option too!). Every voice makes a difference, and your input can help shape policies that protect our communities.

Mahalo for staying engaged! Together, we can make sure Hawaii moves toward a cleaner, safer future.

Me ka haahaa,
Representative Amy Perruso