March 23, 2026, 1:30 p.m.
Hawaii State Capitol
Conference Room 225 and Videoconference
To: Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment
Sen. Mike Gabbard, Chair
Sen. Herbert M. “Tim” Richards, III, Vice Chair
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services
Sen. Joy A. San Buenaventura, Chair
Sen. Angus L.K. McKelvey, Vice Chair
From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns
RE: TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF HB1921 HD2 — RELATING TO CESSPOOLS
Aloha Chairs, Vice Chairs and other Committee Members,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii supports HB1921 HD2, which would allow homes connected to a cesspool deemed priority level three 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.
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 can afford to upgrade their cesspool now, 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
1050 Bishop St. #508 | Honolulu, HI 96813 | 808-864-1776 | info@grassrootinstitute.org
