Informing the Legislature that on June 6, 2025, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB736 HD1 SD1 CD1 (ACT 198).

HB 736 (Act 198) establishes a three-year pilot program at the University of Hawaii’s Water Resources Research Center to test new, affordable wastewater technologies for replacing cesspools. The bill directly affects homeowners and property owners with cesspools - Hawaii has over 80,000 - whose systems currently pollute groundwater and waterways at a cost exceeding $25,000 per traditional upgrade. Key provisions require the UH center to evaluate the affordability, feasibility, and efficiency of new technologies (including community-scale systems) and submit results to the Department of Health for certification. This program aims to accelerate cost-effective cesspool conversions while protecting public health and coral reefs, without altering the 2050 deadline for system upgrades.