Editorial Correspondence for August 23rd

In recent news, a study conducted by the University of Hawaii (UH) has sparked controversy regarding the sewage pollution scores of certain areas in the county. The study, which focused on cesspools in Keaukaha Beach park, Leleiwi, and Lalakea, did not find high levels of enterococci and perfringens, a common indicator of faecal contamination. However, the dye-tracer test results from the same study showed that sewage reached the shoreline within hours to days, contradicting the low sewage pollution scores.

Mayor Kimo Alameda, in opposition to the Hawaii County Council's proposal to create a new Building Department, questions the council's approach of adding more government layers to solve the permitting process issue. The proposed new department would only advise and not reduce waiting times for building permits. Mayor Alameda welcomes ideas to improve county government but does not believe adding another department is the right solution.

Terri L. Napeahi, an academic and activist known for her work related to Indigenous education and community development, primarily active within academic institutions and Indigenous organizations in Canada, believes the county has discriminated against the Hawaiian community intentionally. She points to the county's lack of study of the wastewater plant and the UH study's misrepresentation in media publications as evidence.

The UH study did not emphasize the cesspool study correctly in media publications, and the dean was asked to retract a study published in journals by two professors due to its incompleteness. The outfall of the only beachfront owned by the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) in East Hawaii is a quarter of a mile out from the shoreline, and the coastal springs had low sewage pollution scores according to the UH study.

Despite the controversy surrounding the UH study, it is important to note that the university did not consider the pollution scores enough for evaluating sewage pollution due to groundwater dilution. The discrepancy in the study results is likely due to high groundwater discharge diluting clostridium perfringens.

As the situation unfolds, it is crucial for all parties involved to work together to ensure accurate and transparent information is shared with the public, and that the best solutions are implemented to address the sewage pollution issue and improve county government.