Since the early 1980s, the Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility in Honokowai has been discharging millions of gallons of treated wastewater into underground injection wells. Studies have proven that the effluent eventually enters the ocean nearby.

In addition to creating public health concerns, nutrients in the wastewater harm coral reefs and degrade marine habitat at nearby Kahekili Beach Park and the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Sanctuary.

In order to stop this pollution and seek a better solution, Surfrider has partnered with a coalition of organizations represented by EarthJustice to successfully sue the County of Maui for this unpermitted discharge under the Clean Water Act.

According to Surfrider, “Instead of taking corrective action to find better ways to treat and reuse the wastewater, Maui has instead spent over $4 million in taxpayer money challenging the court’s ruling.

“Even worse, now that this case is scheduled to go before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Maui injection wells lawsuit is being supported by large-scale corporate polluters like the American Petroleum Institute and the National Mining Association. They want to use this case to sabotage the Clean Water Act and possibly reduce liability for environmental disasters like cyanide drainage from mines and leaking oil pipelines. We don’t want people to associate Maui County with these polluters; nor do we want to help their efforts to undermine the Clean Water Act on a national level.”

Surfrider and its partners have launched a petition, “Urge Maui County to Stop Polluting Hawaii’s Reefs,” that asks the mayor and current leadership of the Maui County Council to settle the lawsuit and work with the community to resolve this issue together.

Go to maui.surfrider.org, scroll down and sign the petition.

Surfrider urged, “Please sign the petition asking Maui County to settle the Lahaina Injection Well Lawsuit and work with the community to find alternative long-term solutions that will protect Maui’s reefs and beaches, and ensure continued protections under the Clean Water Act for all Americans.”