Upcountry water and cesspools

A hot topic for our Upcountry residents is converting our cesspools to septic tanks by the year 2050. The costs will vary from $20,000 on up. I am concerned about our kupuna with fixed incomes and our young families with limited incomes! Many of our residents already work two or more jobs to make ends meet.

On January 9th, the State of Hawaii Department of Health held a community information meeting. The 250+ residents who attended expressed many frustrations about this issue.

The State Department of Health conducted tests on drinking water and found higher nitrate levels in private wells in the Upcountry area.

On January 17th, at the Legislature Opening , I met with Representative Kyle Yamashita and Senator Kalani English and they are working with the Department of Health to establish standards and reviewing this issue. I will keep abreast with the State Department of Health and our Legislators to find solutions for our residents.

Link to Additional Resources

Left - Right - Councilmember Sugimura; Representative Kyle Yamashita; Keith Kawaoka. Deputy Director of Environmental Health and Senator Kalani English. L

 Left - Right: Councilmember Sugimura, Stacy Crivello; Senator Kalani English and Gladys Baisa Deputy Director of Maui County Dept. of Water
​