2026-06-23 Energy Environment & Sustainability

The Honolulu City Council's Energy, Environment & Sustainability Committee held a meeting on June 24, 2026, focused on updates and strategies for cesspool conversion in compliance with Hawaii's 2017 Act 125, which mandates statewide cesspool conversion by 2050. The discussion highlighted the allocation of $625,000 from the city's Climate Resiliency Fund for fiscal year 2026 to assist low- and moderate-income households with cesspool conversions or sewer lateral connections. The council reviewed a memorandum of agreement with the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority to administer a revolving loan fund program, aiming to provide flexible financing options and prioritize households with the greatest environmental risk. Committee members discussed challenges such as community opposition to sewer district projects, the high costs of conversions, and the need for incentives to encourage early compliance. The council also considered future budget requests to increase funding for these efforts and emphasized ongoing interagency collaboration and public outreach to support the program's success.