Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority

Hawaiʻi Public Radio interviewed HGIA Executive Director Gwen Yamamoto Lau on HGIA’s new Cesspool Conversion Loan Program. Hawaiʻi faces a 2050 deadline to eliminate roughly 80,000 cesspools statewide, but current conversion rates fall far short of what’s needed. Many homeowners struggle with the high cost of installing approved wastewater systems, which can range from $25,000 to $50,000. To help accelerate progress, the Legislature has allocated $2 million in funds to launch a new HGIA‑administered low‑interest loan program, with additional support from the City and County of Honolulu. Yamamoto Lau says the program aims to make cesspool conversions more affordable and encourage homeowners to act sooner. HGIA plans to roll out the program by the end of the year.

Listen to the feature to learn more about Hawaiʻi’s cesspool conversion challenge and how HGIA’s new financing program aims to help homeowners take action.