Cesspool conversion on Hawaii Island (Big Island)

Hawaii Island at a glance

• About 48,596 cesspools, roughly 59% of homes and more than half the state's total (CCWG final report, Table 1).
• Priority split: about 5,119 Priority 1 (11%), 2,619 Priority 2 (6%) and 40,858 Priority 3 (84%) (CCWG briefing).
• In the state HCPT cesspool data, large clusters include Kailua-Kona (96740, about 6,100), Waimea/Kohala (96743, about 3,900) and Captain Cook (96704, about 2,240).

Funding on Hawaii Island

• Hawaii County Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant: up to $30,000 per project under Act 188 (2025), funded for FY25-26 and FY26-27 (Hawaii Island Cesspool Conversion Task Force 2025 report). Check with the county for current availability.
• Statewide loans (Act 120, 2026): low-interest or forgivable loans for low- and moderate-income homeowners, run by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority. Not yet accepting applications (DOH).

Check your property's priority on the Hawaii Cesspool Prioritization Tool.

New to this? Start with Cesspool 101.