Hāna Community Project
Closing America's Wastewater Access Gap (CAWAG)
Hawai‘i faces a unique and urgent wastewater crisis. With over 83,000 active cesspools across the islands discharging more than 52 million gallons of untreated wastewater daily into our groundwater, streams, and nearshore waters, the need for action is critical especially in isolated rural and underserved communities.
What is Closing America's Wastewater Access Gap (CAWAG) Hāna Community Project?
The Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap Community Initiative provides no-cost technical assistance to communities with cesspools, failing septic systems or those without existing wastewater infrastructure.
Examples of Technical Assistance:
Conduct an assessment of wastewater needs.
Evaluate the feasibility of different wastewater solutions.
Identify funding options, such as grants and financing.
Help with completing the preliminary engineering documents and paperwork requirements for funding applications.
Ultimately, the initiative seeks to support Hāna to identify its wastewater water challenges, build capacity, and develop application materials to access wastewater infrastructure funding, including Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and other federal funding to support cesspool conversions and wastewater management solutions
Project: Hāna
Hāna is one of the more isolated and underserved communities in Hawai‘i when it comes to wastewater infrastructure. With limited access to centralized systems and a high reliance on aging cesspools, many residents face serious challenges that threaten both public health and the environment.
As part of the Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap Community Initiative, WAI has identified Hāna as a priority area due to its cultural significance, rural setting, and urgent infrastructure needs. Our focus is on building long-term, community-driven solutions that reflect the values, voices, and vision of the people of Hāna.
In partnership with local leaders, community members, and federal agencies, we are working to:
Assess current wastewater conditions
Provide technical assistance and education
Identify funding pathways for household and community scale solutions
Ensure that Native Hawaiian and rural perspectives guide every step of the process
We mahalo everyone who joined us for our first community meeting and shared their manaʻo!
📄 View the Meeting Notes and Slides (July 15, 2025)
🎥 Watch the Full Recording Here
Upcoming Events in Hāna
📅 Community Meeting & Listening Session OUTREACH FLYER
Dates: August 25, 2025 (5.30-7.00PM)
Details: WAI staff and partners will be presenting at Helene Hall for a community meeting within Hāna providing an overview of CAWAG and meeting the project team, discussing the pathways to funding cesspool conversions, providing background on cesspool-related laws and conversion technology options, and encouraging public participation in a Q&A session with wastewater experts and local legislators.
Priority Area: Hāna
Number of Cesspools in frame 192. Defined by Hawai‘i Department of Health
Learn more at Hawaiʻi Department of Health Wastewater Branch and UH Sea Grant’s Hawai‘i Cesspool Prioritization Tool Website
Contact us
Stay connected as we continue this important work together. If you would like to contact WAI please do not hesitate to reach out with your questions, recommendations and concerns. You can reach us by email via gabby@waicleanwater.org or info@waicleanwater.org.
More updates coming soon!