Hawaii's Water Pollution: An Environmental Concern?

Hawaii's water quality is under threat from a range of sources, including sewage, industrial pollution, and agricultural runoff. The state's unique geography, climate, and industrial activities make its water susceptible to various pollutants. With over 88,000 cesspools in Hawaii discharging millions of gallons of sewage into the ground every day, the state's water quality is at risk. In addition, the impact of climate change, deforestation, and the proximity to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch have all contributed to the water pollution in Hawaii. The state's history of colonialism and military presence have also played a role in the current water crisis.

Hawaii's water pollution sources

Land-based Sources:

Land-based activities contribute significantly to water pollution in Hawaii. Sedimentation from erosion, for instance, can negatively impact nearshore coral reef ecosystems, altering their community structure. This sedimentation is caused by invasive animals and natural processes like deforestation, which increase the vulnerability of the island's coral reefs to pollution.

Polluted Runoff:

Also known as nonpoint source pollution, polluted runoff occurs when stormwater or irrigation water washes pollutants from the land into streams and coastal waters. This includes pollutants like sediment, nutrients from fertilizers, bacteria from animal waste, toxic chemicals, oil, and trash. Urbanization exacerbates this issue, as roads, buildings, and parking lots prevent rainwater from soaking into the ground, leading to increased runoff.

Cesspools and Septic Systems:

Hawaii has over 88,000 cesspools that discharge approximately 53 million gallons of sewage into the ground daily. This untreated wastewater reaches groundwater, streams, and the ocean, spreading pathogens and contaminants that are harmful to both human health and coral reef ecosystems. Septic systems, while an improvement over cesspools, still contribute to nutrient pollution through nutrient-rich effluent disposal in leach fields.

Aging Infrastructure:

Aging and outdated infrastructure, such as injection wells and private wastewater treatment plants, have led to municipal sewer spills, leaks, and failures. This has resulted in sewage infiltration into groundwater, further compromising water quality.

Climate Change:

The impacts of climate change have disrupted Hawaii's water cycle. The loss of native forests due to historical deforestation has reduced the release of water into the atmosphere, leading to drier conditions on the islands. In addition, changes in rainfall patterns, with more intense storms interspersed with prolonged droughts, hinder the recharging of aquifers.

Military Presence:

The military's presence on the islands has also been identified as a threat to Hawaii's water systems. The Red Hill leak, attributed to military negligence, has contaminated water with fuel, affecting local families and prompting concerns about the broader impacts of colonialism on the islands' water security.

Climate change and Hawaii's water supply

Hawaii's water supply is under threat from climate change, with the islands' water resources facing a range of challenges. The overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893 brought about the deforestation of native forests to make way for the sugar cash crop industry. This led to the removal of an essential upland system that captured fog drift in the mountains and fed freshwater into Hawaii's aquifers. The loss of this system has resulted in drier conditions on the islands, as there is no release of water vapour into the atmosphere from the plants. This, coupled with inconsistent rainfall, has hindered the recharging of the aquifers, leading to longer droughts and water shortages.

The rising sea levels caused by climate change further threaten Hawaii's water supply. As sea levels rise, seawater infiltrates the underground freshwater system, pushing out the freshwater resource and contaminating wells and other components of the water supply infrastructure. This has already impacted water systems, and the problem is expected to worsen, with evidence suggesting a decrease in groundwater availability after 2030.

Hawaii's water quality is also at risk due to pollution from various sources. Over 88,000 cesspools in Hawaii discharge millions of gallons of sewage into the ground daily, reaching groundwater, streams, and the coastal ocean. This type of pollution spreads pathogens and contaminants harmful to both human health and coral reef ecosystems. Septic systems, injection wells, and private wastewater treatment plants also contribute to sewage contamination. Additionally, invasive animals harm native plants, increasing sedimentation and introducing foreign waste products into the watershed.

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is particularly vulnerable to water pollution. Nearshore-localized concentrations of pollutants, including pesticides, hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and excessive sedimentation, occur near populated areas due to point and non-point source water discharges. These pollutants, especially turbidity, can impair marine ecosystems and pose risks to the health of sessile organisms such as corals.

To address these challenges, Hawaii has implemented initiatives to restore streams affected by plantations and promote renewable energy sources. The state has made progress in increasing locally produced renewable energy, with projects like solar farms and community solar initiatives. Additionally, the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission has approved a microgrid tariff for major utilities, reflecting a commitment to clean energy goals.

Sewage and wastewater pollution

Hawaii's water quality is impacted by the presence of contaminants such as pesticides, hydrocarbons, and heavy metals, as well as excessive sedimentation and elevated nutrient loads. While offshore waters remain remarkably clean, nearshore areas near populated areas are more susceptible to pollution due to point and non-point-source discharges and permitted sanitary outfalls.

The diverse climates and soils in Hawaii present unique challenges for wastewater infrastructure. The mountainous terrain creates microclimates with varying rainfall patterns, and the soil types range from porous and sandy to clayier and impenetrable. These factors contribute to the failure of cesspools and septic tanks, as they are not always properly designed or placed to handle heavy rain and clay soils. As a result, millions of gallons of untreated sewage leak into water systems.

To address this issue, Hawaii banned the construction of new cesspools in 2015. Organizations like Wastewater Alternatives & Innovations (WAI) are working to upgrade cesspools and develop eco-friendly, affordable solutions for wastewater treatment. WAI is exploring alternative septic systems, decentralized wastewater treatment plants, and innovative technologies such as constructed wetlands and nitrogen-reducing biofilters. However, funding remains a significant roadblock in implementing these solutions.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also intervened, addressing pollution violations in Hawaii's wastewater treatment plants and sewer lines. In 2024, the EPA entered into an Administrative Order with the County of Hawaii to ensure pollution discharge requirements are met at three wastewater treatment plants, prevent harmful sewage discharges, and improve aging infrastructure.

Plastic pollution in Hawaii

Hawaii's water quality is threatened by various factors, including pollution from cesspools, sewage, and military activity, as well as climate change and historical colonialism. The state faces challenges in managing its water resources effectively, and the issue of water pollution has become a pressing concern.

Plastic pollution is a significant contributor to the water quality issues in Hawaii. The islands, once known for their pristine beaches and rich biodiversity, are now struggling with the influx of plastic waste. The primary sources of this pollution are the islands' proximity to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and the plastic consumption associated with the tourism industry. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located in the North Pacific Ocean, is a vast collection of marine plastic debris formed by rotating ocean currents known as gyres. The patch covers an estimated 1.6 million square kilometres and contains approximately three million tonnes of plastic. The currents carry plastic waste from all over the world to the shores of Hawaii, with an estimated 15-20 tons of marine trash washing up annually.

One of the most affected areas is Kamilo Beach on Hawaii's Big Island, dubbed one of the most plastic-polluted places globally. During a recent 24-day ocean cleanup effort, over 47 tons of plastic waste was removed, including nets wrapped around a Hawaiian monk seal. This incident highlights how plastic pollution endangers local wildlife, as animals become entangled or ingest toxic debris. The Hawaiian monk seal and the hawksbill turtle are among the vulnerable species driven closer to extinction by plastic pollution.

The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond the immediate threat to wildlife. Microplastics, formed when larger plastic fragments break down over time, are impossible to collect and can be ingested by marine life, leading to toxic contaminants entering the food web and potentially reaching humans. A 2019 study found that fish in Hawaiian waters consume plastic particles within days of being born, underscoring the pervasiveness of the issue.

Addressing plastic pollution in Hawaii requires a multifaceted approach. While beach cleanups and citizen science initiatives are important, systemic changes are also necessary. This includes rethinking consumer culture to reduce waste, advocating for sustainable practices, and implementing policies that promote circular economies. Additionally, improving wastewater management systems and addressing the impacts of colonialism and military presence on water resources are crucial steps toward mitigating water pollution in Hawaii.

Water filtration in Hawaii

Hawaii's water quality is threatened by a range of factors, from land-based pollution to the impacts of climate change. The state's water resources have a long history of mismanagement, dating back to the US annexation of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893, which led to the deforestation of native forests and the treatment of water as a commodity by the sugar industry. Today, Hawaii faces a range of water-related issues, including sewage pollution, chemical contaminants, and invasive species, all of which negatively impact the state's fragile coral reef ecosystems.

Water filtration is one tool that can help address water quality issues in Hawaii. There are a variety of water filtration systems available for household use, each with its own unique properties and benefits. Some of the most common types of water filtration systems include reverse osmosis filtration, carbon filters, and water softeners.

Reverse osmosis filtration systems use a semi-permeable membrane to trap impurities in the water. Carbon filters, on the other hand, use layers of active carbon to remove contaminants. Water softeners are designed to neutralize certain minerals in the water using tanks with salts. Each of these systems can be installed in the plumbing system of a home, ensuring that toxins and contaminants are removed from the water before it flows from the faucets.

When choosing a water filtration system, it is important to consider the specific contaminants present in your water supply. Different filtration systems are designed to target different types of contaminants, so identifying the specific issues with your water is key to selecting an effective system. Professional services, such as Hawaiian Cool Water and Allens Plumbing, can provide guidance and installation services for those seeking to improve their water quality through filtration systems.

In addition to the benefits of contaminant-free drinking water, water filtration systems can also improve the performance of household appliances and reduce the need for bottled water, resulting in cost savings for homeowners. With the variety of options available, it is important for individuals to research and seek professional advice to find the filtration system that best suits their needs and addresses their specific water quality concerns.

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