The DOH has received an application for an approval to construct, under the UIC Program, the two (2) rainfall runoff drainage injection wells which are situated in an area designated as an underground source of drinking water by authority of HAR, Chapter 11-23. The DOH has prepared a tentative determination to grant the approval-to-construct which may result in a permit to operate.

On the basis of the DOH’s review of the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act, HRS, Chapter 340E-2, as amended, and HAR, Chapter 11-23, the Director of Health proposes to issue an approval to construct two (2) rainfall runoff drainage injection wells at the facility described below:

Address: 50 Makaala Street, Hilo, Hawaii, 96720

Application No.: UH-3119

Facility: Mamalahoa Highway and Melehana Place

TMK: Near 3rd Division 8-1-019:025 & 8-1-019:039

Location: Intersection of Mamalahoa Highway and Melehana Place, Captain Cook, Hawaii, 96750

Latitude: 19° 30′ 13.9" N Longitude: 155° 55′ 13.4" W

Proposed Quantity of Fluids: Intermittent and variable flow up to approximately 5,400 gallons per minute (gpm) at peak flow conditions for the entire drainage system.

For more information or if you have special needs due to disability that will aid you in inspecting and/or commenting on the public notice and related information, please contact Iris van der Zander, Ph.D., Supervisor of the UIC Program at the above address or at (808) 586-4258 at least seven (7) calendar days before the comment deadline.

All comments to the proposed approval and requests for a public hearing received no later than December 10, 2024, will be considered in the formulation of a final determination regarding the application. An extension of the 30-calendar day comment period may be granted if the request for an extension adequately explains why more time is required to prepare comments.

Requests for a PUBLIC HEARING must state the nature of the issues proposed to be raised in the hearing and meet the requirements of HAR, Section 11-23-15. The Director may hold a PUBLIC HEARING if he finds, on the basis of requests, a significant degree of public interest in the proposed approval. If the Director decides to hold a public hearing, a public notice of the date, time and place of the hearing will be made at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the hearing date. Any person may provide written or oral statements and data pertaining to this proposed approval at the public hearing.

A final decision to issue the approval-to-construct for two (2) drainage injection wells or to deny the APPLICATION shall be made after all comments have been considered. Notice of the final decision shall be sent to each person who has transmitted or delivered written comments or requested notice of the final decision.

If this approval-to-construct becomes final and there is no appeal, the subject facility may proceed to construct and test the proposed drainage injection wells. A permit to operate the two (2) drainage injection wells will be issued upon satisfactory completion of all other legal requirements for the issuance of such a permit, and this action will be final. Upon issuance of the PERMIT TO OPERATE, the APPLICANT may proceed to operate the drainage injection wells, subject to the conditions of the permit and other applicable permit and legal requirements.