Let's address the elephant in the yard: converting a cesspool is a real project, and the first question almost everyone asks is "Is there money to help?" The honest answer for October 2026 is: some, depending on your island, with a big statewide program on the way. Here's what we know, with sources, and what we don't.
Quick note: programs change. Always confirm details with the program itself before you count on anything.
Statewide: the Act 120 loan program (coming, not open yet)
The biggest news is Act 120 of 2026 (House Bill 1618). It creates a statewide Cesspool Conversion Financing Program offering low-interest or forgivable loans to low- and moderate-income homeowners in every county (Hawaii DOH, HB1618).
A few details worth knowing:
- It's run by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority (HGIA).
- Repayment can be collected through your county water bill, which is a lot easier than juggling another loan statement.
- DOH can move money each year from the state's Clean Water revolving fund to pay for it.
What we don't know yet: interest rate, loan limits, terms and the exact income thresholds. HGIA hasn't published guidelines, and as of this writing applications aren't open. Keep an eye on HGIA's website. We'll update this post when it launches.
Oahu
We'll be straight with you: there's currently no Oahu-specific grant for cesspool conversion that we've found. For Oahu homeowners, the main funding story right now is the upcoming Act 120 loan program above. If you think you might qualify, getting your site evaluation and plan done now puts you in a good position to apply once it opens.
Kauai: Grant Program 2
Kauai County's Residential Cesspool Conversion Grant 2 offers 50 reimbursement grants of up to $20,000 each, funded through the DOH Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The application deadline was extended to October 23, 2026 at 4:30 pm because of Hurricane Lowell (Kauai Now). Conversions that received approval to use before May 1 aren't eligible, and people on the Program 1 waitlist need to reapply. Contact the Kauai County Housing Agency at 808-241-4444 or housing@kauai.gov.
Hawaii Island: Compliance Pilot Grant
Hawaii County's Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant was raised to up to $30,000 per project under Act 188 (2025), with funding in fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 (Hawaii Island Cesspool Conversion Task Force 2025 report). Check with the county for current availability.
Rural areas: USDA-backed loans
The Wastewater Alternatives & Innovations group lists a USDA Rural Decentralized Water Systems revolving loan, offered through a nonprofit lender: 1% fixed, up to 20 years, up to $15,000 per household, for eligible rural areas (WAI financing page). It's listed for Maui. Whether any Oahu areas qualify is unclear, so ask the lender.
What's gone
Two programs you might read about online are no longer available:
- The 2016-2020 state income tax credit of up to $10,000 has expired.
- The 2023 DOH cesspool pilot grant ($20,000 reimbursement) is closed.
What about the HIEMA hurricane retrofit pilot?
Not cesspool money, but worth knowing: the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency received $4 million from the state Green Fee for a residential hurricane-retrofit pilot covering things like hurricane clips and roof-to-wall connections. It was still being designed as of mid-2026, with launch expected around early 2027 and a goal of 50 to 100 homes per county in year one (Star-Advertiser). If you're planning yard work anyway, it may be worth watching.
So what should you do?
- Know your system and your lot. A site evaluation tells you what kind of system your property needs.
- Get on a list. When the Act 120 loans open, people with a plan in hand can move first.
- Don't wait on a grant that doesn't exist. If your cesspool is failing, or you're selling, the math may favor acting now.
Funding is the least fun part of this whole thing, right after the part where you think about what's in a cesspool. We'll keep this page updated as programs change. Meanwhile, book a free site survey and we'll help you figure out what you may qualify for.