About Us
Mission & Vision
Wastewater Alternatives & Innovations (WAI) works to protect water quality, reduce sewage pollution and restore healthy watersheds by providing innovative, affordable, and eco-friendly solutions to waste and wastewater management for all people.
WAI also helps Hawaiʻi homeowners and communities manage the difficult process of upgrading cesspools and failing septic systems across the state to new systems that are affordable, efficient, and better for the environment.
Our Five Pillars
Innovative Technology Advancement
WAI is dedicated to advancing next generation sanitation solutions that are efficient, affordable, and environmentally sustainable. Our mission is to identify and introduce technologies that can transform Hawai‘i’s wastewater landscape while protecting community health and natural resources. Working with community groups, government agencies, wastewater professionals, and researchers, WAI is developing pilot projects that serve as real-world models for scalable, sustainable wastewater solutions statewide. Through these collaborative efforts, WAI is accelerating the adoption of innovative technologies that make sanitation safer, cleaner, and more accessible for all communities in Hawai‘i.
Financial & Community Resources
WAI recognizes that the cost of cesspool conversion can be a major barrier for homeowners. We are actively seeking and coordinating funding sources to make this process more affordable and accessible. By partnering with the EPA, Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH), USDA Rural Development, and private foundations, WAI is helping to align federal, state, and philanthropic funding for cesspool conversion assistance.
Our efforts prioritize low and moderate income households in high-priority areas where cesspools pose the greatest threat to groundwater, drinking water, streams, and coastal ecosystems. By combining financial support with community outreach, WAI aims to empower homeowners and protect Hawai‘i’s waters for generations to come.
Education & Advocacy
Public education is at the heart of WAI’s mission. We believe that lasting change in Hawai‘i’s wastewater systems begins with an informed and empowered community. WAI develops and delivers educational programs that help residents, homeowners, and decision makers understand how cesspools and failing systems impact water quality, public health, and the environment. Through community meetings, school presentations, informational materials, and presentations, WAI provides practical, accessible information about wastewater systems and conversion options. Our goal is to help homeowners make confident, informed decisions that protect both their property and Hawai‘i’s natural resources. We work with local organizations, agencies, and legislators to ensure that public knowledge translates into action.
Workforce Development
Transforming Hawai‘i’s wastewater systems requires a skilled and growing local workforce. WAI is works with educators and industry partners/professionals to develop training programs for the next generation of wastewater professionals.
We have established certification pathways, apprenticeship opportunities, and continuing education programs that support both career advancement and community resilience. By investing in workforce development, WAI is ensuring that local expertise and job opportunities remain central to Hawai‘i’s clean water future.
Water Quality Monitoring and Research
WAI supports science based decision making by partnering with researchers and local organizations to monitor water quality and assess the environmental impacts of wastewater systems. Through field data collection, analysis, and community based monitoring, we aim to better understand how cesspools and failing systems affect Hawai‘i’s coastal and groundwater resources.
Our research collaborations inform policy, guide project prioritization, and measure the effectiveness of new technologies and conversion efforts. By grounding our work in data and continuous learning, WAI helps ensure that wastewater solutions truly protect both people and the environment.
History
WAI founders Stuart Coleman and John Anner are passionate about protecting our marine environment and joined forces in 2019 to help find solutions for Hawaiʻi’s cesspool and wastewater issues. Stuart is an avid surfer, and John is a dedicated free diver, and both spend a lot of time in and under the water. Gradually, it became evident that water quality was deteriorating due to sewage pollution from cesspools and failing septic systems. So they joined forces several years ago to find effective solutions for Hawaiʻi’s wastewater issues.
