KAHALU'U — Attempts to block or reduce a development on 15 acres in 'Ahuimanu have come up short, but residents and lawmakers continue to press the city and the state to reconsider decisions about the project, including its wastewater systems and allowing them in the "no-pass zone."

The Woods at 'Ahuimanu would add 44 homes on 15.4 acres of land with individual properties ranging from 10,000 to 35,000 square feet. Aiello Development Group LLC is the developer.

Aiello is in the process of obtaining a subdivision permit for which it has tentative approval. The state Department of Health has approved individual wastewater disposal systems for the project, which has neighbors concerned.

Peter Aiello, project manager, declined to comment for this story.

People are concerned that the subdivision will further pollute the stream running through the property, said Shirley Samuelson, an 'Ahuimanu resident.

'Ahuimanu is one of the wettest areas on the island. During heavy rains, underground streams swell and flood existing cesspools that overflow into the neighborhood, Samuelson said.

The disposal system for the new homes will release treated wastewater into a pit or leach field, and when it rains and the grounds are saturated the wastewater will head toward the stream, Samuelson predicted.

"There's already problems polluting that stream," Samuelson said. "We're very concerned and we don't want to see this happen to people (in the new subdivision)."

Neighbors also worry because part of the Aiello development is in the no-pass-zone areas set aside for water recovery, she said. At least half of the new development is in the no-pass zone, where building is prohibited, although Samuelson admitted that there are some homes built in no-pass zones in 'Ahuimanu.

Samuelson said she's not opposed to new homes in the area but thinks they should be limited to one per acre, as is the case for most of the neighborhood. She's asked state Sen. Clayton Hee to meet with DOH officials.

Hee, D-23rd (Kane'ohe, Kahuku), who lives in 'Ahuimanu, said residents can document seepage problems in the neighborhood, including waste entering the stream.

"It's reasonable that the state DOH should be more proactive in addressing these legitimate and long-standing problems," Hee said.

The Department of Health normally wouldn't allow disposal systems in no-pass zones, said Larry Lau, deputy director for environmental health. However, adjacent developments in no-pass zones were given approval to have cesspools and septic tanks, so the department decided to grant the Woods project approval for the disposal systems under certain conditions, Lau said.

He said that residents have made the department aware of the problems with seepage in the community and that the soil condition would be considered when home builders apply for their disposal system.

"While there may be problems with the ground in some areas, the general approach in our rule is to allow the property owner to present a proposal to show how they will dispose of wastewater that meets our rules," Lau said.

Efforts to slow or stop the project so far have failed.

Two resolutions would begin a process to change the land use of the hillside property for a sewage treatment plant or a dog park. The city Department of Planning & Permitting recommended denial for both resolutions introduced by Councilman Donovan Dela Cruz, 2nd District (Wahiawa, North Shore, 'Ahuimanu). Dela Cruz said the resolutions were the result of community meetings and something the residents had requested. After the two resolutions were introduced, Dela Cruz said his initial feedback from DPP was the resolutions wouldn't fly.

Two bills before the City Council could also affect the project but they would have to pass before the project is granted its permits.

Bill 53 (2006), introduced by Dela Cruz, would temporarily prohibit building on lots next to streams until the city can adopt control measures to ensure safety. Bill 48 (2006), introduced by Councilman Rod Tam, 6th District (Kalihi Valley, Nu'uanu, Kaka'ako), would temporarily prohibit building on hillside property with average grade of 20 percent until the city can adopt rules that mitigate hazards.

The bills have passed first reading and must pass two more hearings before they are adopted and sent to the mayor for approval or veto.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com.