A Hawaiʻi ʻohana preparing a meal together on a covered lanai at sunset, laughing as they chop, wrap and grill, with a lava-rock valley and mountains behind them

Speak up

2050 is the law. The money isn’t there.

Every cesspool in Hawaiʻi has to be gone by 2050, and a conversion costs $30,000 to $70,000. That’s a public health problem, not one family’s problem. Ask the people you elected to fund it.

Why now

About 48,600 cesspools on Hawaiʻi Island, the most in the state, releasing about 29 million gallons of untreated wastewater a day.
To finish by 2050, the island needs about 2,100 conversions a year.
The state’s $20,000 grant pilot has ended, the new state loan fund isn’t open yet, and Hawaiʻi County has no grant program.
The 2027 legislative session starts in January, when the State budget is written.

What we’re asking for

CongressDedicated federal grants for Hawaiʻi’s conversions, and more Clean Water revolving fund money given as grants instead of loans.
The LegislatureReal grant money in the 2027 session, funding for the new Act 204 loan fund, and Department of Health staff to review plans.
The CountyA Hawaiʻi County grant program like Kauaʻi’s, which gives homeowners up to $20,000, plus faster permits for neighborhoods that convert together.

Want to testify?

Testimony on a bill or agenda item goes on the public record. State bills: upcoming hearings (the Public Access Room helps for free). County Council: email counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov by noon the business day before the meeting.

Have a Hawaiʻi Island home? Start a free property check and your officials, and every letter you send, are saved in your home’s page.

Officials and contact details checked October 30, 2026. Districts come from the State of Hawaiʻi GIS maps. We never save your letter, story or street address. If you ask for updates, we save your name, email and town to send them, and you can unsubscribe from any email. We count which offices got a letter or call. Sources: HRS §342D-72 — cesspool upgrade deadline · Cesspool Conversion Working Group final report (DOH, 2022) · Hawaiʻi Cesspool Prioritization Tool report (UH WRRC / DOH, 2024) · DOH — support programs for cesspool conversion · Act 204 (2026) — Cesspool Conversion Revolving Loan Fund · County of Kauaʻi — Residential Cesspool Conversion Grant Program

2050 is the law. The money isn’t there.

Find your officials