Episode Description
Hawaii is facing a major wastewater challenge, with 83,000 cesspools discharging 52 million gallons of raw wastewater into the ocean every day. This is causing significant damage to the marine environment, including coral reefs. The state has set a goal to close all cesspools by 2050, but progress has been slow. The estimated cost to eliminate all cesspools is around $2 billion, and this number is likely to increase. Existing wastewater infrastructure in Hawaii is in poor condition, with limited funding for repairs and maintenance. Alternative solutions and grassroots efforts are being explored, but more support and leadership from the government is needed to address this crisis.