“E kuahui like i ka hana — let everybody pitch in and work together.” - Hawaiian Proverb


This past year was a powerful reminder that solving Hawaiʻi’s wastewater challenges takes persistence, partnership, and community leadership. WAI made meaningful progress across innovative technology, workforce development, water quality, and community-driven solutions statewide.
 

Innovation & Infrastructure

WAI received federal funding from the National Science Foundation to advance the Honu Hub. This is an innovative above-ground wastewater treatment system designed to make cesspool conversions more affordable in challenging isolated locations. We also received an EPA Rural, Small & Tribal grant to support Responsible Management Entities in remote communities on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island. We will be helping communities plan, manage, and fund their own wastewater system conversions.

Water Quality & Public Health

From Kauaʻi to Oʻahu to Hawaiʻi Island, WAI worked alongside communities to monitor water quality, identify sewage pollution, and implement solutions. We also launched SeaSick, a public reporting tool that helps identify ocean illness hotspots and guide future public health and infrastructure investments.
 

Community-Led Planning

Through the EPA's Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap Initiative, WAI has partnered with community leaders and engineers to support locally driven wastewater planning in Hāna. The WAI team has help setup community meetings and technical assistance are laying the foundation for future infrastructure funding and long-term solutions.

Strengthening Hawaiʻi’s Wastewater Workforce

Workforce development remained central to our mission. With support from an EPA Innovative Workforce grant, Work-4-Water expanded statewide, graduating 32 participants and placing graduates into on-the-job training and employment pathways. This program continues to support Hawaiʻi’s 2050 cesspool conversion goals.
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As we move forward into 2026, WAI remains focused on scalable, community-centered solutions that protect public health, create local jobs, and safeguard Hawaiʻi’s waters. The WAI office will be closed December 24th 2025 - January 1st 2026 as the team takes time to rest. Mahalo for being part of this work, we couldn’t do it without you.