Bill > HR33

This resolution encourages Hawai?i County, working with the Puako community, the Department of Health (DOH), and others, to finish the Puako Sewage Project. This project aims to protect and restore the Puako Reef, which has suffered significant coral loss due to pollution from cesspools, which are underground septic tanks that can leak untreated sewage. The resolution highlights that Hawai?i has many aging cesspools that need to be upgraded or replaced by 2050, a costly endeavor. The Puako Sewage Project is presented as a model for other communities, integrating advanced wastewater technology with fiber-optic internet infrastructure to address both environmental concerns and the digital divide, meaning the lack of reliable internet access, particularly in rural areas. The project also leverages a "4P" investment model, involving public, private, philanthropic, and community partners, to share the financial burden and create a sustainable solution.