City unveils new innovative wastewater technology

HONOLULU– A new tool that could help Hawaiʻi communities treat wastewater, offer an affordable alternative for cesspool conversion, and provide uninterrupted connectivity in emergency situations was showcased at the Wahiawā Wastewater Treatment Plant Wednesday, Aug. 26.

The event, hosted by Team Honu and funded by the National Science Foundation, introduced the “Honu Hub,” a compact alternative for homes in small communities that aren’t connected to the city sewer system. It’s designed for resilience and powered by solar, so it can maintain power and communications in emergency situations when surrounding infrastructure is disrupted.

During Tropic Storm Lala, the system maintained uninterrupted power and connectivity, demonstrating its ability to provide reliable water treatment during severe weather events.

The Hawaiʻi Onsite Wastewater Treatment Evaluation Program (HOWTEP), run by the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa’s Water Resources Research Center was also showcased. HOWTEP is independently testing new wastewater technologies like the Honu Hub to make sure they work before being used in real neighborhoods.

“Right now we’re testing this very important technology but others will follow,” Department of Environmental Services (ENV) Director Roger Babcock said. “We’re very glad to be able to host (Honu Hub) here.”

Stuart Coleman, WAI (Wastewater Alternatives & Innovations) Executive Director and member of Team Honu said the system offers an affordable path for residents with cesspools — who can’t connect to sewer — another option to convert their cesspools to comply with Act 125 by the 2050 deadline.

“We are always looking to develop solutions that are more affordable, more efficient, better for the environment and better for our homeowners and community,” Coleman explained.

Daniel Yeh, Ph.D., engineering professor at the University of South Florida and Honu Hub project lead, called Honu Hub a “miniaturized wastewater treatment plant.”

“You can drop it into different places around the world and it runs completely off grid,” Yeh said. “Wherever you have sun it will run. And then also and we can track if from anywhere in the world because it has a Starlink dish on there.”

The system will undergo a year-long testing process with Department of Health expected to make a decision on approval in the next six months.

How Honu Hub works:

1. Wastewater from the home flows into an equalization tank, which acts as a buffer controling the flow of wastewater into the system.
2. The wastewater then goes into the Honu Hub system where nutrients, nitrogen and solids are removed.
3. It then passes through a membrane filtration system– a high tech filter– that removes bacteria, dirt and other pollutants and disinfects the water
4. The water can be safely discharged or reused on site (pending DOH approval)

For more information on Honu Hub click here.

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