Posted on: Thursday, December 23, 2004

'Historic' deal on Waimanalo sewage

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer

WAIMANALO — The city and a Waimanalo group have signed a precedent-setting document that guarantees community input on sewage treatment issues and gives city government some clout when seeking federal money for such projects.

The memorandum of agreement, signed by Laulima O Waimanalo and the city Department of Environmental Services yesterday, allows the community to be involved with planning wastewater treatment projects and fulfills a federal requirement that could result in an initial financing of up to $15 million for future projects at the Waimanalo plant.

"This agreement is historic," said Timothy Houghton, deputy director for environmental services and a signee for the city. "With this agreement, we can work cooperatively on how we're going to deal with wastewater issues in Waimanalo. We will consult with them, and they will provide support to us in determining what we do, when, how we do it and how we make sure it integrates with the community."

Having an agreement with a community group also will assist the city in getting Rural Utility Service grants, Houghton said, adding that he thinks the city can get up to $15 million for treatment plant and wastewater collection projects.

Since 1988, the Waimanalo Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is owned by the state and operated by the city, has needed upgrades. Financing failed twice, first when Gov. Ben Cayetano refused to release almost $13 million for improvements in 2000 and last year, when the Legislature removed a request for $18 million from the budget.

Area legislators Sen. Fred Hemmings and Rep. Tommy Waters lobbied to replace the appropriation and this year Gov. Linda Lingle released $19.54 million for upgrades at the plant.

The upgrades mean lifting a building moratorium in the community that will allow for residential and commercial development.

But the community wasn't satisfied and sought other means to improve the plant and, consequently, the environment, said Mabel Spencer, president of Laulima O Waimanalo.

The organization wanted to improve the sewage collection system and build a water reclamation facility, Spencer said.

With the help of Mano Wai Corp., the group sought federal money for the projects but soon realized that the city was the best agency to pursue the money. So the group forged the partnership with the city, which had worked with the community on wastewater issues.

Spencer said the agreement is a Christmas miracle for Waimanalo and lets the community play a role in its future development.

"We're concerned about what we're pumping in the injection wells (where treated water is deposited) and if there's a possibility of making it a lot cleaner, then so be it," she said.

The document was signed at the Waimanalo plant. Present were city and state officials, Neighborhood Board members and residents. People there called the document a model for O'ahu. Houghton said the concept could work for the North Shore and areas in Windward where there are no sewage collection systems.

Hemmings, R-25th (Kailua, Waimanalo, Hawai'i Kai), said under this agreement the community would be able to seek private money to develop this resource.

"I'm especially pleased because too often people mistakenly believe that government is going to solve all our problems and this is a wonderful example ... of how you will be able to control your destiny," Hemmings said.

Wilson Ho, Waimanalo Neighborhood Board chairman, said issues at the wastewater plant represent most of the problems in the community and now these problems will be addressed. Like others, he credited many people for bringing the agreement about, including Kirsten Turner, with Mano Wai Corp.

Turner said her nonprofit organization enables other nonprofit groups and communities to do what they do well by helping them obtain infrastructure and build facilities.

Once the plant is upgraded and other projects completed, Waimanalo's environment will be improved, said Janice Neilson, a resident and Laulima board member.

"This is for the future of our children and grandchildren so they can lead healthier lives," Neilson said.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.