THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	19
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

urging the county of Hawai‘i to prioritize infrastructure improvements to wastewater management through a comprehensive study for economic development, infrastructure, sustainability, education, and public policy.

WHEREAS, Hawai‘i has limited resources, space, and carrying capacity; and

WHEREAS, Hawai‘i has made progress in energy and food security but still relies upon foreign fossil fuel for eighty percent of its energy generation and imports a majority of its food supply; and

WHEREAS, there is a moral obligation and real responsibility to act as good stewards of the land and its unique flora and fauna for the current and future generations; and

WHEREAS, protection of our natural environment and natural resources benefits and sustains the State's economy, residents' health and well-being, and enjoyment of open spaces, parks, and trails; and

WHEREAS, the definition of sustainability is "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs"; and

WHEREAS, traditional Hawaiian society was able to sustain a thriving population with advanced agriculture and aquaculture and wise management of land and natural resources; and

WHEREAS, global climate change presents an urgent threat to the Hawaiian islands through sea level rise, ocean acidification, coral bleaching, drought, flooding, temperature changes, species extinction, infectious disease, and other impacts that increase risk from deferred maintenance on old infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, in response to Act 125, Session Laws of Hawaii 2017, the Department of Health produced a report to the twenty-ninth Legislature related to cesspools and prioritization for replacement; and

WHEREAS, the report revealed that there is a need for corresponding research to assess current wastewater infrastructure in the County of Hawai‘i; and

WHEREAS, while the wastewater industry has evolved to using natural systems that drive operational savings and operational results beyond permit compliance, the Hilo wastewater plant infrastructure is over twenty years old and uses traditional wastewater treatment processes; and

WHEREAS, for any significant modifications to the current wastewater management system, the County of Hawai‘i needs to conduct a feasibility study; and

WHEREAS, a technical feasibility study and an infrastructure evaluation must be focused on cost-effective finance options, including leveraging private sector investment, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and nutrient resource recovery for potential energy generation, land and soil regeneration, and other new business opportunities; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2018, that the County of Hawai‘i is urged to prioritize infrastructure improvements to wastewater management through a comprehensive study for economic development, infrastructure, sustainability, education, and public policy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study find ways to maximize current investment in wastewater systems and all modern and more cost-effective technical and financial models that improve operations, performance, and cost; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i, Chairperson of the Hawai‘i County Council, and Director of the Department of Environmental Management for the County of Hawai‘i.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Wastewater Management; Study; Infrastructure