A fixed pump-out system installed by the state is still three years away.Mahalo to the Maui Weekly for the May 29 article on Pump Don’t Dump (PDD) and Netra Halperin’s (June 11 commentary) kind words for our group. To clarify: Everett Dowling approached PDD and made his generous offer to fund this pump-out at the Kihei Boat Ramp (KBR), asking only that PDD, working with the Kihei Community Association, coordinate some logistics. We did not appeal to him or his company.
The state has jurisdiction of harbors, so it’s their responsibility. The county’s only related action is allowing the disposal of human waste into the sewage treatment systems, which occurs at Lahaina Harbor’s two state pumps. While the pump-out at KBR would be land-based, the county’s level of participation would be the same.
Ma‘alaea Harbor has no pump-outs, and the latest projections indicate a fixed pump-out system installed by the state is still three years away. The current voluntary, efficient mobile pump-out system at Ma‘alaea was instituted, at the strong urging of PDD, by county government, using the coordination of Tri Isle RC&D, which obtained funding from county, state and federal agencies, and continues to do so. PDD hopes this continues, since if this program were to cease, boats could again revert to dumping human waste in our ocean.
The joint state (DLNR) and federal (NOAA) agencies controlling the HIHWNM Sanctuary are still considering making these waters a no-dump/no-discharge zone, but have not yet made the necessary rule change to affect this much-needed action. PDD encourages public calls for this rule change. Visit www.pumpdontdump.com.