Guide

Why this guide matters

Many homeowners put off important work when 3 things show up together. Cost, confusion, and the feeling that once you start there is no clear way through. On Hawaiʻi Island the soil, slope, shoreline, and water table change from property to property, which adds even more uncertainty.

Act 125 sets a firm deadline for cesspool conversion, but it does not explain how to move from that deadline to a finished and approved system in your yard. Engineers focus on design, installers focus on construction, and agencies focus on review. None of them are responsible for explaining the entire journey in plain language.

This guide fills that gap. It lays out the actual path from first intake to final approval and shows where a coordinator sits in the middle. When you understand the steps and know that one team is watching the whole project instead of just a part of it, it becomes much easier to start.

Why cesspools are being phased out

Cesspools were once a common way to deal with wastewater because they were simple and cheap to build. Wastewater from the house flows into a pit in the ground and slowly soaks into the surrounding soil. Over time, that same simple system turned into a long term problem for drinking water, streams, and nearshore reefs.

Untreated wastewater can carry nutrients, bacteria, chemicals from everyday life, and household products. When that water seeps into the ground in large volumes, it can reach wells, springs, and the ocean. On an island this impact does not stay hidden for long. It shows up as algae on the reef, closed beaches after heavy rain, and long term pressure on drinking water sources.

The state response is the statewide cesspool conversion mandate. By 2050 every cesspool must either be upgraded to a qualified system or connected to sewer where that is available. That is a large and complex task at the state level, but at the property level the requirements are straightforward. Each parcel needs a design that meets the rules, a permit, and a properly installed system that is signed off by a licensed engineer.

Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help exists to help homeowners move through that property level journey. We do not set the rules or issue approvals. We organize the work so that your engineer, installer, and permit reviewers can each do their part without leaving you to manage the entire chain on your own.

The full process in 5 steps

Almost every cesspool conversion on Hawaiʻi Island follows the same basic 5 steps. The details change from property to property, but the sequence does not. Once you understand this pattern, the project feels less like a mystery and more like a checklist that can be completed.

Some properties require extra checks, such as soil tests or elevation adjustments. Those pieces still fit inside the same 5 step structure. Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help keeps that structure in view, even when small changes are needed, so the project keeps moving instead of stalling between steps.

What each step looks like

Timeline what to expect

Timelines vary by property, by season, and by how busy engineers, installers, and reviewers are, but most projects follow a similar pattern.

On a relatively straightforward property a typical sequence looks like this:

• Step 1 and Step 2, assessment and design, often take several weeks when everyone stays on task.
• Step 3, permitting, can range from a few weeks to a few months depending on review workload and how often clarifications are needed.
• Step 4, installation, is usually measured in days of active work once equipment arrives, though weather and delivery schedules can stretch that window.
• Step 5, final approval, usually follows soon after installation, but can lag if no one is watching the paperwork.

Without a coordinator, time is often lost in the gaps between steps. A design is finished but not submitted, a review comment sits unanswered, or an installer is ready but the permit is still pending. These gaps are where months disappear.

With Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help, the focus is on shrinking those gaps. We can not control every delay, but we can make sure that your file is not the one that drifts to the back of a desk simply because no one is asking where it stands.

What to expect on your property

One of the most common concerns is what will happen to the yard during installation. It is easier to move forward when you have a clear picture of what the work looks like and how long the disruption will last.

During installation you can expect:

• Equipment access through the driveway or another planned route into the work area.
• Excavation of the tank location and disposal area, which can temporarily create open pits or trenches.
• Stockpiles of soil and gravel that will be used for backfilling and contouring.
• Short term noise from engines, compactors, and hand tools.

After installation the goal is to return the property to usable condition as agreed in the scope. That may mean gravel in drive areas, soil and grass seed in lawn areas, or preparation for landscaping that you plan to handle yourself.

Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help helps you prepare by:

• Making sure you know in advance which areas will be disturbed and which will stay untouched.
• Helping you talk through access, parking, and staging with the installer so you are not surprised when equipment arrives.
• Clarifying what restoration is included at the end of the job and what would be considered extra work.

This preparation means fewer last second decisions and less stress while work is underway.

Costs in plain language

Costs vary by property and system type. Many projects land in the tens of thousands of dollars, with simpler sites lower and complex sites higher. Rocky ground, steep slopes, shallow groundwater, narrow access, and long electrical runs can all add cost. Additional treatment units can also increase both installation and long term maintenance costs.

Most homeowners do not pay one large lump sum in cash. Instead, people usually combine savings with financing that fits their situation. Some owners use home equity, some use personal loans, and some use other forms of credit. The right choice depends on income, credit, and how the property fits into long term plans.

In broad terms, total project costs often include:

• Engineering and design fees for assessment, plans, and permit submittals.
• Permit and review fees charged by agencies.
• Installation costs, which include labor, equipment, excavation, backfill, and final grading.
• Materials such as tanks, chambers or trenches, pumps, control panels, and electrical work.
• Site restoration such as gravel, topsoil, grass seed, or limited concrete replacement.

The largest source of frustration is usually not the base cost itself, but the surprises that show up when communication is unclear. A design that has to be revised during review, an installer who discovers something that could have been seen earlier, or a permit that sits untouched for months can all create extra costs and change orders.

Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help focuses on clear steps and coordination so you waste less time and avoid repeated work. When you open a file with us we help you understand the likely range for your situation, how the money usually flows across the 5 steps, and where careful planning can prevent the avoidable extras that often stress homeowners.

Example projects

Every property is different, but a few simple examples can make the process easier to picture.

Example 1 In town lot with limited yard

A homeowner on a smaller in town lot has a driveway, a small lawn, and very little spare space. The cesspool sits under an area that is now used for parking. The owner is concerned that there is no room for a new system and that the yard will be unusable for a long time.

Through Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help, the owner completes a short intake. We connect them with an engineer who works regularly in their district and is familiar with small lots. The design finds a layout that preserves critical parking and uses a compact disposal area that still meets the rules. We then help the owner connect with an installer who works cleanly in tight spaces and restore the yard quickly.

Example 2 Rural property with slope and drainage

A rural property sits on a slope above a gulch with seasonal flow. The owner worries that rules about setbacks and groundwater will make a new system impossible or extremely expensive.

After intake, we connect the owner with an engineer who has handled similar properties. Extra care is taken with elevations and drain pathways. The design places the system where it has stable support and safe separation from water features. We then coordinate with an installer who is comfortable working on slopes and make sure the engineer and installer are aligned before work begins.

In both examples the owner does not have to assemble the team alone. Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help remains the point of contact and keeps the file moving from step to step.

Quick questions

Here are short answers to some of the questions homeowners ask most often.

• Do I need to upgrade right now
  The law sets a final deadline, but many owners choose to act earlier based on property plans. When you open a file with us we talk through your timing, upcoming projects, and how to avoid being forced into a rushed decision near the end.
• What if I plan to sell before 2050
  Buyers and lenders are already paying attention to cesspools. Having a clear plan or completed upgrade can make sale and financing smoother. We help you understand how your situation is likely to appear to a buyer or lender.
• What if my property is unusual
  Many properties do not fit the simple textbook examples. That is normal. We are used to working with steep slopes, lava, high rainfall, and shorelines. The important step is to start the process so a qualified engineer can review your specific site.
• How much of this can I do myself
  You are always in control of decisions, but engineering, permitting, and installation must be handled by qualified professionals. Our role is to connect you with those professionals and keep the moving parts tied together so you are not left to manage them alone.

If you want deeper answers to detailed questions, you can also read our FAQ page or open a file so we can look at your situation directly.

Why it pays to start early

Delays usually come from missing information, busy engineers or installers, permit questions, and gaps between steps when no one owns the next move. Those problems grow as more owners move toward the same deadline and compete for the same limited pool of professionals.

Starting earlier gives you more installer choice, smoother reviews, and less pressure from crowded schedules. It also gives you room to line up financing, coordinate with other planned work on the property, and choose a time of year that fits your life instead of reacting when options are limited.

Act 125 sets the deadline at 2050, but that does not mean it is wise to wait until the last years. As the deadline approaches, demand for engineers and installers will rise. Projects that start early are more likely to move at a calm, predictable pace. Projects that start late are more likely to face longer waits and rushed decisions.

Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help is set up to help you begin while there is still breathing room. Once your file is open, the project has a defined path instead of being a vague problem for some future year.

Why homeowners choose Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help

Without a coordinator

• You search for an engineer and hope for callbacks.
• You guess which installer to use and compare quotes without clear context.
• You track permits, review comments, and status on your own.
• You may not know whether a delay is normal or a sign that the file has stalled.

With Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help

• You submit one intake that captures the key information about your property and goals.
• We connect you with licensed professionals who are a good fit for your area and project type.
• We coordinate communication so the engineer, installer, and reviewers each get what they need without constantly pulling you back into the middle.
• We keep you updated in plain language and help you see the project as a series of clear steps instead of a long, confusing tangle.

The same rules and technical standards apply whether or not you use a coordinator. The difference is how much of the load you carry yourself. Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help is designed so that you can focus on decisions instead of paperwork and scheduling.

Next step

If you want a clean, organized path instead of guessing, use the Get Help Now button at the top of this page. Hawaiʻi Cesspool Help will take it from there and guide your project from intake to final approval.

The sooner you start, the more options you have for timing, team selection, and cost control. Opening a file does not lock you into immediate construction. It simply means your property is on a defined path toward a modern system and away from an aging cesspool.