Big Island candidates for state House and Senate take on cesspools, lava flow in Puna

Candidates for state House and Senate seats discussed cesspools, high taxes, broken hospitals, flowing lava and other pressing issues during a forum Thursday evening in Kailua-Kona.

Hopefuls in three races floated the concept of using state lands to relocate businesses and homes affected by the current lava flow in Puna.

House District 5 candidates agreed it would be a huge burden for residents to have to convert existing cesspools to septic systems. A recent draft plan by the state Department of Health would mandate the conversion.

Jon Lalanne, a Libertarian, said he has a personal history with the issue.

“If anyone knows about surf and poop, I do,” he said. “I’m from Malibu and every winter the treatment plant would break down and we’d be surfing in it. I’m still here.”

“I’d hate to see this burden put on the people,” he added. “I’d hate to pay for it myself.”

Lalanne said residents are taxed “to their eyeballs.” When a place has high taxes, it chases wealth away, Lalanne said.

“We need more wealthy people to feed down to the plumbers and carpenters who want to make a living for themselves,” he said.

Lalanne said the state should draw from its abundant land inventory to help re-establish Puna residents who stand to be displaced by Madam Pele.

Republican Dave Bateman said the cesspool proposal is “a ridiculous move on the part of the DOH.”

“I went through the petition and supporting materials and found none,” Bateman said. “We have very good basalts here and rifts in the earth that will purify (waste). I don’t know of anyone being treated in the ER for coliform. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.”

Bateman said a public-private partnership would fix the ailing hospital system he says is failing largely because of labor costs.

The candidate called for the use of state land and federal funds to aid Puna residents whose property and access could be destroyed by lava.

Bateman repeatedly emphasized cutting income taxes and the general excise tax, and he voiced his support for more local control of public education.

Richard Creagan, the Democrat incumbent who was appointed in January, said the cesspool issue needs to be studied by the state Legislature.

“We need to really examine the science,” Creagan said. “I don’t think the geology of the island mandates septic in the upper elevations. Along the shoreline, of course.”

Creagan said if the rules are put into play, he would support tax credits for composting toilets.

The current hospital system in the state doesn’t function, and it will be broken up, Creagan said.

“We want an in-state partner who will respect our obligations with our unions,” Creagan said. “Bring some of the transient accommodations tax back to the island and to pay interest on a revenue bond to build a new hospital. If we build a new hospital, Queen’s (Health Systems) will be very happy to come over.”

House District 5 extends from Naalehu north to Keauhou and Kahaluu.

In the House District 6 race, Democrat incumbent Nicole Lowen said it is necessary to stop making cesspools a part of new construction.

Impacts to homeowners of the possible new rules should be lessened through tax deductions and other legislation Lowen said she would be willing to sponsor in the coming session.

Lowen said the potential lava disaster is too big for residents to face on their own and called for swift movement at the state and federal levels to maximize any funding that could be available. Kona Community Hospital should continue to identify ways to be more efficient, she said, and a public-private partnership should be considered, but not as a silver bullet.

House District 6 includes Kailua-Kona, Holualoa, Kalaoa and Honokohau.

Republican challenger Kelly Valenzuela called for existing cesspools to be grandfathered in.

“Our families cannot pay $15,000 to convert from a cesspool into a septic tank,” she said.

On the lava front, Valenzuela said the state should work with insurance companies to make sure residents are taken care of. Developers of large subdivisions also need to be aware of where the volcano could reach, she said.

Valenzuela said hospital “reimbursement rates are horrible and we pay millions in premiums.”

The general excise tax is a punishing factor for “people who are just trying to get ahead,” she said.

“It’s almost like we’re being taxed twice,” she added.

Democrat Lorraine Inouye will face Libertarian Alain Schiller in the race for Senate District 4, which includes parts of Hilo, Hamakua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa and south to Kalaoa.

Inouye said she takes issue with the DOH using an administrative rule to try to push the cesspool conversions “rather than engaging the affected communities.”

“It’s going to kill many who are trying to buy a home,” she said. “Do away with the administrative rule. If the DOH wants a plan, start from scratch and involve everyone in the process.”

Inouye also is in favor of a public-private partnership for Kona Community Hospital.

“Is there someone out there in a partnership that we can use as a model?” she asked. “We need to work with the unions to see if this partnership could work. I’m sure it can.”

Schiller was unable to attend the forum because of a family matter, according to the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce. Schiller provided a written statement which the moderator, chamber president Vivian Landrum, read aloud.

“I believe it is time for an alternative to the two-party system,” Schiller wrote, saying he is opposed to incineration of waste products on the island and the toxic fumes that incineration would produce.

Farming, renewable energy and access to medical marijuana also are part of Schiller’s platform.

The forum was sponsored by the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce. The Kohala Coast Resort Association, Hawaii Island Realtors, the West Hawaii Association of Realtors and West Hawaii Today were co-sponsors.

Email Bret Yager at byager@westhawaiitoday.com.