Quarterly Flush: Your #1 Source for #2 News - Stuart Coleman, Executive Director

“E mālama i ka wai.” Care for the water.

ʻŌlelo Noʻeau: Hawaiian Proverbs & Poetical Sayings

This quarter, WAI continued to build momentum across our programs thanks to the collaboration and dedication of our staff and partners. We welcomed Sierra Onda as our new Operations Manager, who quickly stepped in and is already making a positive impact across operations and program coordination. Our Water Quality work continued in the field, including a dye tracing study in Kealakekua that’s helping us better understand subsurface flow paths and potential contamination risks. Our SeaSick reporting tool is also gaining traction, supporting community reporting of seaborne illnesses. Workforce development continues to grow through the Work-4-Water program, with new graduates entering the wastewater field across the islands through our on the job training. A big highlight this quarter though was the launch of our HiRME Collective, which held its inaugural meeting and brought partners together to start shaping more coordinated, long-term approaches to Hawaiʻi’s wastewater challenges. Overall, work across WAI continues to move forward with a shared focus on practical solutions, stronger systems, and healthier watersheds within Hawaiʻi.

Legislative Update

On the 2026 legislative front, there was an important win for Hawaiʻi's cesspool conversion efforts.HB1618, which establishes a Cesspool Conversion Revolving Loan Fund, administered by the Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority (HGIA), passed through the Legislature and will receive the Governor's signature in a signing ceremony on July 8th. WAI proudly supported this bill, which will provide low-interest and forgivable loans to help homeowners upgrade cesspools, convert to approved wastewater systems, or connect to sewer where available. By improving access to affordable financing, this measure helps address one of the biggest barriers to cesspool conversion. Mahalo to everyone who submitted testimony and helped support this legislation throughout the session. 

Water Quality

Our Water Quality team was incredibly busy this last quarter. Following the Kona low storms, we received a surge in SeaSick survey responses after attending over 10 outreach events post-storm. In May, our team conducted a dye tracer study in Kealakekua with the Kapukapu ‘Ohana community partnership, revealing cesspool-coastal connectivity in < 24 h. In June, WAI co-lead a Statewide Water Quality Coordination meeting, bringing together environmental non-profits, county, and state offices to discuss how to best coordinate water quality monitoring efforts across the state. Two clear priorities emerged from this workshop: (1) Coordinating data sharing to improve collection, stewardship, accessibility, and use of water quality data and (2) Establishing a statewide collaboration framework to strengthen coordination and better align restoration and implementation efforts.

Work-4-Water

Spring 2026 session has wrapped up, and we are proud to celebrate 35 new graduates who are prepared for entry-level roles and apprenticeships in Hawaiʻi’s water and wastewater infrastructure.

Partner With Us: We are actively seeking On-the-Job Training (OJT) and apprenticeship placements for our graduates. If your organization has open positions or is interested in hosting a trainee, please complete our Partner with Us Form.

Join Our Next Class: Our next 8-week cohort is scheduled for Fall 2026. If you or someone you know wants to kick-start a career in the water and wastewater industry apply now below.

Hawaii's Inaugural Decentralized Wastewater Responsible Management Entity - HiRME

The HiRME EPA Rural, Small & Tribal (RST) funded work moved into the coordination and implementation phase this quarter, highlighted by the inaugural partners meeting held on May 12, 2026. This meeting brought partners together to kick off coordination around building Responsible Management Entities (RMEs) in Hawaiʻi. This phase is focused on laying the groundwork building partnerships, and mapping out how workforce development, technical assistance, and community outreach will work together. Building on the success of our Work-4-Water training models WAI is developing a training program that supports RME development locally, along with expanding access to information on funding, multi-sector partnership and implementation options. Overall, our focus this quarter is continued stakeholder outreach, establishing a collective platform and planning for our 12 week HiRME Program training course and technical advisory workshops  that will implement coordinated action toward long-term wastewater management solutions across Hawaiʻi.

Wastewater Webinar Series

WAI launched a new webinar series to spotlight innovative wastewater solutions and connect Hawaiʻi with experts from across the industry. We were thrilled to host Rob Bolton, Director of Water and Sewer for Vero Beach, Florida, who shared how his city has successfully installed nearly 1,000 STEP (Septic Tank Effluent Pump) systems. These systems offer a low-disruption, cost-effective alternative to conventional gravity sewer and could be a promising option for Hawaiʻi's unique geological conditions.

Looking ahead, our next webinar on August 19 will feature Rob Kershner of Innovatreat and Jeanette Laramee of Sherwood Design Engineers. Innovatreat's MiniMBR® system just helped power one of the most sustainable buildings in the country: the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, which opened July 4th and is pursuing full Living Building Challenge certification. Rob and Jeanette will discuss the technology behind it and what it could mean for community-scale wastewater treatment in Hawaii.

New Hire - Sierra Ondo

Sierra Ondo serves as the Operations Manager at Wastewater Alternatives & Innovations (WAI), where she leads program coordination, communications, outreach, and technical assistance efforts across the organization. She works closely with the Work-4-Water team and reports to WAI's directors on the coordination and deliverables of the organization's programs and major grants, including the EPA Rural Small & Tribal Project. Sierra's professional experience spans a diverse range of sectors, including marine animal response and community outreach with Hawaiʻi's Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources (DLNR-DAR). She has also contributed her expertise in graphic design, program coordination, and finance, bringing a multidisciplinary perspective to her work. Born and raised on Oʻahu and now residing on Maui, Sierra is deeply committed to protecting Hawaiʻi's natural resources. She holds a Master of Science in Conservation Leadership from Colorado State University and is dedicated to applying her knowledge and experiences to strengthen WAI's mission of safeguarding Hawaiʻi's water systems. Through her work, she strives to help ensure a clean, healthy, and resilient environment for future generations across her island home.

Environmental Facts: "Did You Know?" 

"Flushable" Wipes Usually Aren't.

Despite the label, many "flushable" wipes don't break down like toilet paper. They can clog pipes, damage pumps, and create expensive blockages in sewer systems.

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