Advocates see sewage pump funding on Maui as first step

WAILUKU » Clean-ocean advocates say they are pleased that Gov. Linda Lingle has released $350,000 for the design of sewage pump-outs for vessels at Maalaea Harbor in South Maui.

But they also said they are disappointed that the completion of the project will take three to five years.

Dennis Fitzpatrick, a spokesman for the "Pump It, Don't Dump It" group on Maui, said some Maalaea boaters are continuing to release sewage in federal waters outside the 3-mile state limit.

Fitzpatrick said he views the dumping of sewage as a health issue, one that already has tarnished the reputation of Oahu's Waikiki and poses a threat to Maui.

"Is it going to take a health emergency before they deal with it?" Fitzpatrick said. "Is it going to take a serious situation like Oahu?"

Fitzpatrick said he would like to see Lingle ask for the adoption of a federal humpback whale sanctuary rule that would effectively require boaters to pump out their sewage into trucks at Maalaea Harbor.

Fitzpatrick said the state and county have funded a program enabling Maalaea Harbor boaters to pump out their sewage into trucks.

Fitzpatrick said Florida Gov. Jeb Bush made a similar no-dump request in a manatee sanctuary.

He said Gov. Lingle's administration has to first make the request for the no-sewage dumping rule in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary waters, before the sanctuary advisory committee can make the change.

State Land Board Chairman Peter Young said he is willing to talk with sanctuary managers to find out what they think about the idea of barring sewage dumping in humpback whale sanctuary waters.

Young said, however, that humpback whale sanctuary waters extend beyond Maalaea and involve other issues and waters off other islands, such as Kauai and Oahu.