Kukuiolono Park Trust Estate, which operates Kukuiolono Park and Golf Course in Kalaheo, has agreed to close its three large cesspools as part of a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the EPA said.

“Technically the settlement is being concluded with the Bank of Hawai‘i as the Trustee of the Kukuiolono Park Trust Estate, and not in its individual or corporate capacity,” according to a press release issued Thursday.

The EPA in 2000 required all large capacity cesspools to close by April 5, 2005. That was followed by a 2017 state law requiring all Hawaii cesspools to be closed by 2050 due to the risk of environmental contamination.

Situated on Kauai between Hanapepe and Poipu, Kukuiolono Park Trust Estate operates three large cesspools.

The cesspools for Kukuiolono Park and Golf Course Pavilion and for the comfort station are considered unlawful because they can accommodate 20 or more people per day. The cesspool for Kukuiolono Park Campground is considered unlawful “because it serves multiple dwellings,” according to the press release.

While the EPA has the authority to enforce large cesspool closure through penalties and compliance orders, it also has voluntary self-disclosure policies to encourage people to report and quickly close these large cesspools themselves.

People who follow the policies can avoid penalties and enforcement actions.

Under the settlement, the deadline for Kukuiolono Park Trust Estate to close its large cesspools is Dec. 31, 2024. The public is invited to comment on the settlement until Dec. 11 before it becomes final.