Everything official, in one place

The law and the rules

What the State requires, by when, and the standards a new system has to meet.

1. 01
   The 2050 cesspool law (HRS §342D-72) (opens in a new tab)

   The State law that requires every cesspool to be upgraded, converted, or connected to sewer by 2050.

   Hawaiʻi State Legislature

2. 02
   Wastewater system rules (HAR 11-62) (opens in a new tab)

   The Department of Health rules for septic and aerobic systems: design, setbacks, permits, and inspections.

   Hawaiʻi Department of Health (PDF)

3. 03
   Cesspools in Hawaiʻi (opens in a new tab)

   The Department of Health’s main cesspool page: the rules, the deadlines, and who to contact.

   Hawaiʻi Department of Health

4. 04
   Cesspool Conversion Working Group (opens in a new tab)

   The group the Legislature set up to plan the statewide phase-out, with its meetings and recommendations.

   Hawaiʻi Department of Health

5. 05
   Working Group final report (2022) (opens in a new tab)

   The full plan: how many cesspools there are, what conversion costs, and how to pay for it.

   Hawaiʻi Department of Health (PDF)

6. 06
   Hawaiʻi County cesspool conversion report (opens in a new tab)

   The County’s look at cesspools on Hawaiʻi Island and its long-term wastewater plan.

   Hawaiʻi County Department of Environmental Management

Maps: where your cesspool stands

Cesspools near drinking water wells, streams, and the shoreline are the State’s first priority.

1. 01
   Hawaiʻi Cesspool Prioritization Tool (opens in a new tab)

   The State’s interactive map of priority levels for every cesspool, from the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant.

   University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant

2. 02
   How the priority levels were set (2024) (opens in a new tab)

   The report behind the map: what makes a cesspool Priority 1, 2, or 3.

   UH Water Resources Research Center and Department of Health (PDF)

On Hawaiʻi Island? Our cesspool map shows the same priority levels with water alerts and nearby streams.

Water, reefs, and health

The research on what cesspools do to the water we drink, swim in, and fish from.

1. 01
   Puakō sewage dye-tracer study (2021) (opens in a new tab)

   UH Hilo found sewage from shoreline homes reached the ocean in as little as 6 hours.

   University of Hawaiʻi

2. 02
   Finding sewage pollution in a Hawaiian watershed (2021) (opens in a new tab)

   A peer-reviewed study tracing where sewage enters Hawaiʻi Island streams and coastal water.

   Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies

3. 03
   Wastewater and coral reef health (opens in a new tab)

   A federal guide to how onsite wastewater harms reefs, and what helps.

   U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (PDF)

Help paying for it

Every program we know of, and whether you can apply today. As of October 2026.

• Cesspool Conversion Revolving Loan Fund (Act 204)

  Coming

  Created by the Legislature in 2026 for low-interest and forgivable loans, run by the Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority. It is still being set up and is not accepting applications yet.

  Read Act 204 (opens in a new tab)Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority (opens in a new tab)

• USDA home repair loans and grants

  Open now

  Low-interest repair loans for very-low-income owner-occupants in rural areas, and grants for owners 62 and older. Eligibility depends on income, age, and location.

  USDA Rural Development (opens in a new tab)

• Department of Health support programs

  Open now

  The State’s own list of help for cesspool conversion. Check here for new programs.

  DOH support programs (opens in a new tab)

• State cesspool tax credit

  Closed

  Expired in 2020.

• Department of Health pilot grants

  Closed

  Ended in 2024.

For the full story on the loan fund and what it may cover, read How will we ever pay for a cesspool conversion? ʻĀina Force tracks these programs and is working with local government. When you check your property, we’ll help you see which options may apply. Funding and eligibility are never guaranteed.