[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6359293,"mediaKeyId","2184530-53a56f90f7fdfe831537251d0afacd5a","parentId",2184530,"title","Senators hear testimony supporting UH wastewater technology testing pilot with $750,000 request","audioSeconds",1281,"startMs",1387000,"endMs",2668000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2184530-53a56f90f7fdfe831537251d0afacd5a&start=1387&end=2668","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2184530-53a56f90f7fdfe831537251d0afacd5a/thumbnail_1387000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6359293/Hawaii/Senators-hear-testimony-supporting-UH-wastewater-technology-testing-pilot-with-750000-request","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359293-d05825f24fb192861d2766243a186763/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159909&Signature=AFUnYRJ5SEENjcSTv1bZHnqxrBeXSd2z2Qs7Miis-uL4wHzj6Hsl4GTt16332h1b7WiTdhJafAnvbFETr5X9aoRxyS12zEqVfW1vcy0bfMbui7TnESFnPtx-FgOc5hDhjGD6CcKQxmyV0EIQySBBpKL6AHiNwAYCFnl6~iOCX~H2QL~1qLQIqOrlqNbAZIVeyUMycfrNIYJyROElxDkKF0YglAr9b9LvF521FOFErtItmRGvmZ~IZsBNJPULpRta1Mse17CN3H5Ql5KydOPwdKCgdrO03TK2st08WR0tLywBZUHvE85dh1H6Z0dY7mrZaYi9puU8GHiz~x-Y9ZLxcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment","date","2025-02-01T01:14:39.22Z","article","Senators convening the joint Senate committee on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment on Jan. 31 heard testimony supporting Senate Bill 1232, which would establish a three-year wastewater technology testing pilot at the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) and appropriate roughly $705,000–$750,000 to run it.

Proponents said the center would accelerate local certification of new wastewater systems and help find lower-cost alternatives to cesspool conversion. \"The department stands on its written testimony in support of it,\" said John Nagato for the Department of Health. Jio Wang, assistant professor with the Water Resources Research Center and the University of Hawaii College of Engineering, said, \"I think this is a great platform for education, research, and also accelerating the adaptation of new technology in wastewater treatment, in Hawaii.\" Ted Bohlen of the Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition said the program could help identify cheaper solutions as Hawaii faces the need to address tens of thousands of cesspools.

Why it matters: The bill aims to provide an in-state, lower-cost testing pathway for vendors and technologies that otherwise would rely on National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) testing on the mainland, which witnesses said can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Proponents argued that an affordable local testing center could reduce per-unit costs for homeowners and accelerate adoption of alternatives to cesspools.

Details and questions from senators: WRRC provided a draft budget of about $705,000–$750,000 for three years, with most funds allocated to project management, graduate students and lab supplies. Jio Wang said the center would act primarily as a third-party tester for vendor-supplied systems rather than run independent basic research: companies would submit systems for performance testing at local wastewater plants. Witnesses said they had tentative approval to use a local wastewater plant as a testing site and that the prior informal testing effort had slowed after a key staffer left the university. Testimony referenced National Sanitation Foundation standards and said Hawaii Administrative Rules require either NSF or equivalent university testing to support Department of Health approvals.

Senators pressed on how long the pilot would last and on the center's sustainability. Wang said the three-year appropriation is intended to establish the platform and that, afterward, vendors could reimburse testing costs. Committee members also asked for historical reports and sampling data tied to past testing; witnesses said some earlier reports exist from the late 1990s and early 2000s but that capacity waned after the departure of a key researcher.

Limits and next steps: Witnesses did not propose a specific long-term funding source; Chair Kim noted agencies often include language supporting measures \"as long as they do not supplant priorities\" and asked where appropriated funds should come from. No formal action or vote occurred during the hearing; the committee moved on to the next measure after testimony and questions.

Ending: Senators indicated they may request supplemental data from DOH and WRRC, including past testing reports and more precise long-term funding proposals, before decision making.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","HRE-AEN, AEN DEFER Public Hearings 01-31-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senators convening the joint Senate committee on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment on Jan. 31 heard testimony supporting Senate Bill 1232, which would establish a three-year wastewater technology testing pilot at the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center and appropriate roughly $705,000–$750,000.","taxTitle","Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment, Senate, Legislative , Hawaii","taxId",25725,"location","Hawaii","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359281,"Mixed testimony on SB1154 as lawmakers weigh creating disease and toxin testing lab at JABSOM",316,4018000,4334000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2184530-53a56f90f7fdfe831537251d0afacd5a&start=4018&end=4334","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2184530-53a56f90f7fdfe831537251d0afacd5a/thumbnail_4018000.jpg","/articles/6359281/Hawaii/Mixed-testimony-on-SB1154-as-lawmakers-weigh-creating-disease-and-toxin-testing-lab-at-JABSOM","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359281-4136c20a589d54478337e91662bb34e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159909&Signature=ajwxXXFlrVy~WIec8s4Z8K5HkQtfnDfG5dnMyootQd2OzP5RasM0Ha4absTn1ZMzKCjifegwRKWSoxktJw7pm8sAkYqyhqZEV3UvCgXqKN8EEgypt3w3vjT1WPuN4NQegX3HsrxOYeVna0t0KFGtUve6nnAdjZEjOK-6PHYt3UFLXaSM8yhFVs7Ya7oLngnP-mq9Syk0xYYSYkIeavtIf9t5uagCG0iY2XJd5hNKTX5U5CUv-avGwuWDhuWjrVF-RIfIa4bi~ogAfbrtE3vttPY2BKCVmsamojBBo1J-Le75kNFEyCB3Mt75ugKhDjgV5T7BjG9MdnpTXwKYqOrl-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 1154, heard Jan. 31 by the joint committees, would require the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) to construct, establish and operate a disease and environmental toxin testing laboratory to accept samples from the public for testing of human disease and environmental media such as water, air and soil.

Ed Desmond, state laboratory administrator, told senators the state already provides many of the services envisioned by the bill. \"For the environmental samples, testing is already available. At the state laboratory, we test water and food samples,\" he said, and noted the state lab plans to test for PFAS in the near future. Desmond explained the technical and quality-control steps required to offer reliable testing, including method validation, standard operating procedures, proficiency testing and personnel competency checks.

JABSOM's interim associate dean for research, Steve Ward, testified by Zoom that the medical school is focused on medical education and research and \"does not have the expertise to do soil\" testing and that retrofitting labs for these services \"would cost a tremendous amount of money.\" Community advocates including Anthony Chantze of Hui O'onua urged easier local soil testing to support urban agriculture projects; Chantze said his group is developing a 44-acre farm and needs soil testing to confirm safe planting.

Why it matters: Proponents argued a public-facing laboratory at JABSOM would give communities direct access to testing for environmental contaminants and pathogens. State lab officials and JABSOM warned of overlap with existing state services, large start-up costs, and the regulatory and quality systems needed to provide medically actionable results.

Committee questions and next steps: Senators asked whether state laboratory capacity could be expanded instead of creating a separate JABSOM facility; Desmond said many tests already exist at the state lab and emphasized the extensive validation and quality systems necessary for public testing. JABSOM declined to support the bill in written testimony and in oral remarks. No committee decision was taken during the hearing; the committee rolled decision making to a later date and asked agencies to coordinate on where testing capacity should be located.

Ending: The committee requested follow-up from DOH, the state laboratory, and JABSOM on existing services, costs to expand capacity and potential coordination options before taking a vote.","Senators heard competing views on Jan. 31 about Senate Bill 1154, which would require the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine to create a public disease and environmental toxin testing laboratory.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359282,"Support and debate on $3 million bill to fund University of Hawaii climate resilience center",504,3493000,3997000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2184530-53a56f90f7fdfe831537251d0afacd5a&start=3493&end=3997","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2184530-53a56f90f7fdfe831537251d0afacd5a/thumbnail_3493000.jpg","/articles/6359282/Hawaii/Support-and-debate-on-3-million-bill-to-fund-University-of-Hawaii-climate-resilience-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359282-29f1b966e536bcf40ba915511199d2cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159909&Signature=FMplyXTta2qPpoWm3jQrRTySRyi0DuKXt-Rwv5y2v78pHyorZ~uiCsmNZNhuq9zhJnZTOgIoI1LQrN3fIp9t-xHY-o8MtLVhz8WxtVZiS5QB4V~R70mPURvY~9x26kKIcfFriYZ11ALPod9~UOR~-cGUx72Mfwt0l~0mLo1rL-9AYEyeSYde2o5apAy1vMCOY63zwpWGSr7JlyVPqmVtRAgIODAYej4lWeomg2w6FDgoYMI3kGi5yY00HAg8twrWqWNlgH5~YXMr6xBSgy1XXKiw6mcVh2ezjo7-AjtccZEdbYNFNtF51VtZHs0eSf3kYMiE2AOUpq1wlW~WTul8ZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators at the joint hearing on Jan. 31 took testimony on Senate Bill 657, which would appropriate $3 million to establish a Center for Climate Resilient Development within the University of Hawaii School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST).

Michael Kane of the Department of Land and Natural Resources said the department \"stand[s] in strong support of this bill,\" adding that agencies rely on the center's data to make recommendations to the Legislature. Chip Fletcher, interim dean of SOEST, told the committee the center produces the state's sea-level-rise modeling and said \"there are 8 different laws and policies around the state that rely on our data that also indicate that our data needs to be updated on a regular basis.\" Fletcher added that recent research from the center identified groundwater inundation as a major coastal threat in some locations.

Why it matters: Witnesses and members debated how to fund the center. Fletcher and others noted that federal funding is sometimes unreliable; one senator asked if Tourist Accommodations Tax (TAT) funds could be a source. Testimony included both technical support and critical remarks questioning the need for additional money; the committee heard scientists and community members describe different views on climate projections.

Details and committee questions: The appropriation request cited $3 million for the center. Witnesses described specific uses: long-term modeling, interdisciplinary research, student training, and community-facing resilience planning. Senators pressed whether the money should come from the university budget, the general fund or a portion of TAT; witnesses deferred to the Legislature on the appropriation source. A committee critic challenged the underlying science during questioning; SOEST faculty responded with references to peer-reviewed climate science and the center's ongoing modeling work.

Ending: The committee heard support from academic and community groups and requested additional budget-source information before decision making; no formal action was taken during the hearing.","Senators considered Senate Bill 657 on Jan. 31, which would appropriate $3 million to create a Center for Climate Resilient Development at the University of Hawaii School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST).",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359290,"Lawmakers hear pleas for state-funded response as federal CRB emergency funding wanes",624,2704000,3328000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2184530-53a56f90f7fdfe831537251d0afacd5a&start=2704&end=3328","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2184530-53a56f90f7fdfe831537251d0afacd5a/thumbnail_2704000.jpg","/articles/6359290/Hawaii/Lawmakers-hear-pleas-for-state-funded-response-as-federal-CRB-emergency-funding-wanes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359290-ecc4362984f2cab3cf9e17ea14fec638/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159909&Signature=KGGYtZEfNoOzu-RSEi02fFz95tTvgsoKqeEj3hUs~yhEnIt~4e~fAV9pr0GzVUPC8Y5Iy3~rUDFEFO7IiJT-jK8F2ddhjvne1SY5bwnrew3oe9QvSfrBnOP1yHOBqEksA4sruuI5tbLDOi0pd2MhgU9vTTVRiB9Het0OE6IUpZYoHJKf6vyetRmk10--nyVyC4U1VflecVNjWZ6~Ni4SaCrm5d2xn1RuqMLGAl9SnCs0UmrT6Olz-mw7yCTRx6ZTCHIJHFePaHkYTH~hsnh7cIwEnxsEyeHgxcki8p1DDL9-j80n1GPSAbCAyVcAHt~~raFonSPMSitxpNAU7jIwlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators at the joint hearing on Jan. 31 considered Senate Bill 686, which would establish a short-term management initiative and appropriate funds for the coconut rhinoceros beetle response program. Witnesses representing state agencies, research institutions and community groups said state funding is needed because federal emergency support is diminishing.

Cameron Fujimoto, acting plant pest control branch manager for the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, said the department \"stands on its written testimony and strong support of this measure.\" University of Hawaii representatives also testified in support, noting that federal funding is at risk. Stephanie Easley of the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species said federal support has \"strings\" and that state funds would allow response teams to operate on all islands; she asked the committee to add Kauai to islands listed in the bill.

Why it matters: Testifiers said CRB has devastated ornamental and native palms, threatened local food supplies and raised significant removal and disposal costs for homeowners and public agencies. Krista Lane, a North Shore resident, said she faced a $3,000-per-tree removal cost for tall palms and that local infestations create nests that could spread to other islands.

Funding and proposed uses: Committee discussion summarized funding line items in the bill: $15,000 for training tree trimmers; $160,000 for subsidizing residential canopy treatments; funds to expand rapid-response teams; $250,000 for canine inspection capacity; support for container fumigation subsidies; and approximately $200,000 in full‑time-equivalent positions for biocontrol research, according to the committee chair's statements. Witnesses and county council representatives urged the committee to ensure appropriations can be used statewide and to add Kauai to the program's geographic coverage.

Questions and agency readiness: Senators pressed Department of Agriculture staff on how much state money remains available for CRB work and whether the department could manage program components; acting DOA staff asked for time to gather precise budget figures. University researchers said they could manage certain outreach and contracting tasks but did not commit to absorbing all program functions should DOA be unable to execute them.

Ending: The committee heard requests to add Kauai to the bill's coverage and for more detailed budget information from DOA; no vote took place during the hearing and committee decision making was scheduled separately.","Testimony on Senate Bill 686 urged state funding to maintain coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) response capacity across islands after federal emergency funding scaled back; witnesses outlined line-item uses including subsidized canopy treatment and canine inspections and urged adding Kauai to program coverage.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senators hear testimony supporting UH wastewater technology testing pilot with $750,000 request

Mixed testimony on SB1154 as lawmakers weigh creating disease and toxin testing lab at JABSOM

Support and debate on $3 million bill to fund University of Hawaii climate resilience center

Lawmakers hear pleas for state-funded response as federal CRB emergency funding wanes