The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection on Feb. 5, 2026.
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Feb. 5, 2026, 9 a.m.
Hawaii State Capitol
Conference Room 325 and Videoconference
To: House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection
Rep. Nicole Lowen, Chair
Rep. Amy A. Perruso, Vice Chair
From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns
RE: TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF HB1921 — RELATING TO CESSPOOLS
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair and other Committee members,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii supports HB1921, which would allow homes connected to a cesspool deemed “priority level 3” by the state Department of Health to build additional bedrooms, so long as the total number of bedrooms connected to the cesspool does not exceed five.
However, the bill would allow the Department of Health to prohibit additional bedrooms in specific areas if there is evidence that cesspool usage has a negative effect on water quality or human health.
This legislation would not change the mandate that all cesspools in the state be converted to septic, sewer or another wastewater treatment method by 2050. But it would give some homeowners reprieve from having to convert their cesspools early just to expand their homes.
Hawaii has a pressing need for new housing, and every extra room could help shelter someone. But not every homeowner has $50,000 in their bank account to cover the cost of upgrading their cesspool, so this is a commonsense bill that should be approved.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Ted Kefalas
Director of Strategic Campaigns
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
