July 31 marked a historic step forward for the Keaukaha community and all East Hawaiʻi: The County of Hawai‘i broke ground on long-needed upgrades to the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant – a $337 million investment to address decades of neglect, modernize wastewater infrastructure, and protect public health and the environment for generations.
I commend Mayor Kimo Alameda for taking decisive action to make this project a reality. His leadership ensures we meet legal obligations, safeguard shorelines, and strengthen the resilience of our island’s infrastructure.
When I served in the U.S. House of Representatives, I worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address serious compliance issues facing Hawai‘i County. In 2017, under an Administrative Order on Consent, the county committed to bringing its large capacity cesspools in Pāhala and Nāʻālehu – and wastewater systems in Hilo and Kona – into compliance with federal law.
Large capacity cesspools were banned in 2005, yet the county had been out of compliance since 2010, risking millions in fines and threats to drinking water and marine ecosystems.
These compliance issues directly impact OHA’s Native Hawaiian beneficiaries in Pāhala and Nāʻālehu as well, where outdated cesspools threaten health and the environment. For these communities, land and water are the foundation of our culture, our sustenance, and a sacred trust from our kūpuna. Addressing this challenge is both a legal duty and a cultural imperative to protect the lāhui.
For Native Hawaiians, this is about more than infrastructure, it is about aloha ʻāina.
Clean water to drink, safe oceans for our keiki to swim in, healthy reefs for our lawaiʻa to fish, and thriving shorelines where ʻohana gather to pound ʻopihi are essential to our identity. Protecting these resources honors our kūpuna and ensures future generations can live, work, and play in a healthy, sustainable Hawai‘i.
Equally important to Keaukaha’s future is the renovation of the Keaukaha Gymnasium – a gathering place for sports, community events, and cultural activities.
For decades, it has been a hub where generations gathered to compete, learn, and strengthen bonds. It has hosted canoe club fundraisers, hula hālau performances, youth basketball tournaments, and kūpuna gatherings.
OHA is committed to partnering in its restoration, so it can continue serving Keaukaha and the greater Hilo community. A renovated gym will provide a safe, modern facility for our keiki and kūpuna, standing as a testament to the resilience and vitality of the lāhui.
Together, the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade and the Keaukaha Gym renovation represent a holistic investment in the health, safety, and spirit of our people. Clean water and safe oceans protect wellbeing and the ecosystems we depend on, while strong community facilities nurture social connections, cultural practices, and identity.
For Native Hawaiian communities, these projects are about more than compliance or construction – they are about creating conditions where our people thrive.
Safe drinking water ensures the health of our ʻohana. Healthy oceans preserve subsistence fishing, limu gathering, and voyaging. Modern athletic and community spaces give our keiki places to grow strong, learn teamwork, and stay safe after school. They provide opportunities for mentorship, discipline, and leadership – values that strengthen the lāhui.
Infrastructure, when done right, honors the past and secures the future. By committing to clean water, safe gathering spaces, and vibrant cultural hubs, we ensure that Native Hawaiian communities remain places where identity, tradition, and opportunity flourish – where our people stand proud, connected to the ʻāina, and ready for the generations yet to come.
