Hilo, Hawai‘i – December 23, 2024

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) has issued a notice of proposed action to approve the construction of a drainage injection well along Kīlauea Avenue in Hilo, Hawai‘i. This project, spearheaded by the County of Hawai‘i Department of Public Works, aims to improve roadway drainage by managing rainfall runoff through the installation of a state-of-the-art drywell system.

Project Overview

The proposed well, part of broader drainage improvements, will:

• Be located at Kīlauea Avenue near Ohea Street (Latitude: 19° 41′ 53.4″ N, Longitude: 155° 04′ 11.3″ W).
• Have a maximum diameter of five feet and a depth of 34 feet.
• Handle intermittent and variable runoff flows of up to 2,700 gallons per minute during peak conditions.

Rainfall runoff collected from the roadway will be directed to the injection well, preventing surface water accumulation and potential flooding.

Public Participation

DOH invites public comments on its tentative determination to grant the approval-to-construct the well. Individuals or organizations can submit written comments or request a public hearing by January 20, 2025, to:

Safe Drinking Water Branch
Department of Health
Environmental Management Division
Uluakupu Building 4
2385 Waimano Home Road, Suite 110
Pearl City, Hawai‘i 96782-1400

Comments and hearing requests can also be made by phone at (808) 586-4258 or via email at SDWB@doh.hawaii.gov.

Public Hearing Considerations

If significant public interest is expressed, the Director of Health may hold a public hearing. Notices regarding the date, time, and location of such a hearing will be provided at least 30 days in advance.

Final Determination

Following the public comment period, the DOH will review all feedback before issuing a final decision. If approved, the facility will proceed with construction and testing. A permit to operate will be issued once all legal requirements are met.

For those interested in reviewing the application or related materials, documents are available for public inspection at the DOH’s Pearl City office during business hours or electronically by request.

The DOH emphasizes the importance of public engagement in this process and encourages anyone with an interest in the project or concerns about its environmental impact to participate.