Environmental Indicators

The Environmental Planning Office (EPO) closed effective May 2, 2018.  Due to federal EPA funding reductions, the office is no longer providing services.  The information posted here will temporarily remain in place for public reference.  For Standard Comments, please see the EPO Land Use Planning Review webpage or contact the appropriate Environmental Health Administration branches and offices directly using DOHEHALandUseContactList_20240827.pdf.

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The Environmental Planning Office (EPO) gathers data from the various DOH Environmental Health branches and offices.  Key indicators are provided below.  If you’d like to view additional data sets or historical information please contact us.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT DIVISION (EMD):

Click on the following EMD branches to learn more.

Clear Air Branch (CAB)

Table 1: 2014 Greenhouse Gas Emissons (Metric Tons CO2e)
Sector # of Facilities GHG Emissions
Power Plants 15 6,666,337
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems 1 2,612
Refineries 2 966,156
Chemicals 2 130,138
Other 2 152,588
Waste 8 565,782
TOTAL 30 8,483,613
Source: https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions
 Table 2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990-2010 (MMTCO2Eq)   
 Greenhouse Gas Emissions By Type  1990 2010 2020 Goal
 Energy 8.08 8.85 8.08
 Ground Transport 3.23 3.10 3.23
 Marine Transport 1.65 2.15 1.65
 Freight 1.53 1.37 1.53
 Waste 0.85 1.10 0.85
 TOTAL 15.34 16.57 15.34
Source: ICF International (DBEDT Consultant for the GHG Task Force), Proposed GHG Reduction Work Plans for Hawaii, 10 November 2009
*MMTCO2Eq = Million Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent
**Energy= residential, commercial, industrial, electric power, oil and gas
Note: Aviation emissions are excluded from Act 234, and thus are not included in this table
Table 3. Ambient Levels of Carbon Monoxide (CO) in Honolulu (CY 2010-2014)
Year Highest 1-hour Average (ppm) National Standard (ppm)
2010 1.8 35
2011 1.4 35
2012 1 35
2013 1.6 35
2014 2 35
Source: Department of Health, Clean Air Branch, Ambient Air Quality Report
ppm=parts per million
Calendar Year

Clean Water Branch (CWB)

Table 1. Number of CWB Brown Water Advisories by Island (CY 2010-2016*)    
Island 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014  2015 2016
Hawaii 1 2 0 0 1  2 4
Kauai 4 5 5 6 9 7 5
Maui 4 5 0 0 16 18 14
Oahu 3 5 1 8 4 18 15
TOTAL 12 17 6 14 30  45 38
*Source: Department of Health, Clean Water Branch, as of Aug. 24, 2016
Calendar Year (CY)

 

Table 2. Number of Impaired* Perennial** Streams (2014)
Island*** Total Number of Streams in the State Total Number of Impaired Streams for One or More Conventional Pollutant Percentage of Total Impaired Streams  Island Percentage of Total Impaired Streams
Kauai 30 21 70% 23%
Oahu 50 43 86% 47%
Molokai 6 1 17% 1%
Lanai — —  — —
Maui 48 11 23% 12%
Hawaii 35 16 46% 17%
State 169 92 54%  100%
Source: Department of Health, Clean Water Branch, 2014 Integrated Report
* Assessed, according to DOH CWB, means tested for any of the following: enterococci (a pathogen which negatively affects recreation), nitrogen, nitrates, phosphorus, turbidity, and/or other (including trash)
** Perennial means that the stream flows all year long
*** Kahoolawe and Niihau had no perennial streams assessed during the time period
Table 3. Water Quality at Selected Public Beaches: 2013 and 2014
Island and beach Number of samples Enterococci density *
2013 2014 2013 2014
Hawaii 995 700 12.6 14.3
Hilo Shoreline 263 253 15.1 16.4
Hilo Bay (Canoe Beach) 28 28 12.3 17.4
Honolii Cove (Ocean) 28 28 15.5 25.6
Kona Shoreline 732 447 12.6 13.2
Anaehoomalu Bay 85 53 10.8 11.5
Kahaluu Beach Park 85 54 12.3 17.8
Spencer Beach Park 18 8 19.6 22.8
Maui 1,062 790 **   12.3 12.4
Hukilau Hotel Shoreline 83 66 **   12.1 15.5
Kamaole Beach #1 91 69 **   11.8 10.7
Kihei (south) 90 70 12.6 11.4
Spreckelsville Beach 80 67 11.4 11.0
Wailea Beach 81 65 10.4 10.2
Oahu 185 917 11.9 12.0
Ala Moana Park (center) 20 53 10.7 12.5
Hanauma Bay 9 44 11.7 10.2
Kailua Beach Park 9 44 12.7 11.5
Kuhio Beach 19 52 15.9 16.7
Makaha Beach (X) 28 (X) 10.0
Sunset Beach (X) 29 (X) 15.3
Waimea Beach (X) 44 (X) 11.9
Kauai 814 776 16.9 17.7
Hanapepe Salt Pond 76 75 11.4 11.6
Kalapaki Beach (middle) 75 75 16.5 17.5
Kekaha (Oomano Point) (X) (X) (X) (X)
Lydgate Park (wading pool) 74 75 12.0 14.1
Poipu Beach Pavilion 76 75 11.0 10.7
X Not applicable
* Geometric mean, number per 100 ml.  The geometric mean standard for Enterococci density was 35 per 100 ml. in 2013 and 35 per 100 ml. in 2014.
** Revised from previous Data Book.
Source: Hawaii State Department of Health, Clean Water Branch, records.

Safe Drinking Water Branch (SDWB)

Table 1. Percentage of Population Served Safe Drinking Water (CY 2013-2016)
Calendar Year  Total Population Served Drinking Water* Population Served Water in Compliance with MCLs** Percentage Population Served Water in Compliance with MCLs**
2013 1,505,329 1,448,126 96.20%
2014 1,505,329 1,489,254 98.93%
2015 1,507,848 1,502,032 99.61%
2016 1,513,713 1,512,713 99.93%
Source: Department of Health, Safe Drinking Water Branch
*Water systems report their populations based on an estimated number of persons served by their systems.  The total number of persons served by these systems will exceed the recorded population of the state (thru Census data) because some persons are served by multiple water systems daily and are therefore counted in multiple service estimates.
**Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL)

 

Table 2: Cumulative Sanitary Surveys of Drinking Water Systems (CY 2007-2015)
Calendar Year Target Number of Systems Surveyed in a year* Surveys Actually Completed Annually Target Cumulative Number of Systems Surveyed* Actual Cumulative Number of Systems Surveyed
2007 26 23 26 23
2008 26 31 52 54
2009 26 28 78 82
2010 26 27 104 109
2011 26 41 130 150
2012 26 43 156 193
2013 26 20 182 213
2014 26 28 208 241
2015 26 28 234 269
Source: Department of Health, Safe Drinking Water Branch (SDWB)
*SDWB tries to do at least 26 surveys a year so that each system is inspected at least every 5 years.  The five-year cycle began in 2012.

 

Table 3. Underground Injection Control (UIC) Well Compliance (SFY 2009-2016*)   
SF Year Total UIC Permits Total Expired Permits Current Permits % of Current Permits
2009 818 374 444 54%
2010 857 385 472 55%
2011 879 394 485 55%
2012 911 393 518 57%
2013 926 389 537 58%
2014 934 402 532 57%
2015 935 413 522 56%
2016 943 414 529 56%
Source: Department of Health, Safe Drinking Water Branch
*State Fiscal Year (July-June)

Wastewater Branch (WWB)

Water Reuse* (CY 2015-16)  
Calendar Year Total Recycled Water Supplied (MGD) Total Recycled Water Utilized (MGD) Percentage Reused
2015 134 16.30 12.10%
2016 134 17.20 12.80%
2020 20.00%
Source: Department of Health, Wastewater Branch
Millions Gallons per Day (MGD)
* = Reuse amount for 2015 onward is based on operator reports which provide more accurate figures because they account for declines in use due to rainy periods, off-spec water, and equipment malfunctions.

 

Approximate Number of Cesspools by Island (SFY 2016)
Island Number of Cesspools Percent of State
Hawaii 49,083 56%
Kauai 13,688 16%
Maui 12,201 14%
Oahu 10,748 12%
Molokai 1,323 2%
TOTAL 87,043 100%
Source: Department of Health, Wastewater Branch

Solid & Hazardous Waste Branch (SHWB)

Table 1: Solid Waste Diversion for FY 2015 (in tons)
Disposal Diversion Generation Diversion Rate
Hawaii 179,033 6,5300** 244,333 26.7%
Maui 183,167 30,786* 213,952 14.4%
Oahu* 933,911 877,288 1,810,811 48.4%
Kauai 81,500 66,665 148,165 45.0%
STATE 1,377,611 1,040,039 2,417,261 43.0%
Source: Department of Health, Solid & Hazardous Waste Branch
https://health.hawaii.gov/shwb/files/2013/06/2016_OSWM_Annual_Report.pdf
*2014 calendar year data
** incomplete data
Table 2. Leaking Underground Storage Tanks   
Calendar Year Total Tanks Active Tanks Closed Tanks Confirmed  Releases Clean-ups — Partial Clean-ups — Future Complete Clean-ups
2006 7,832 2,001 5,831 1,875 206 94 1,574
2007 7,916 1,895 6,021 1,909 192 86 1,631
2008 7,845 1,770 6,075 1,955 184 76 1,695
2009 7,873 1,701 6,172 1,989 154 80 1,755
2010 7,897 1,679 6,248 2,019 180 45 1,794
2011 7,904 1,639 6,265 2,037 142 35 1,860
2012 7,974 1,653 6,321 2,052 109 36 1,907
2013 7,990 1,657 6,333 2,053 109 37 1,907
2014 8,020 1,604 6,416 2,103 96 46 1,961
Table 3. Toxic Chemical Releases in 2014 and Hazardous Waste Generated, Shipped, and Received in 2014
Category Unit
Number of TRI Facilities in Hawaii in 2014 34
Toxic chemical releases in 2014* 2,600, 000
On-site releases 2,500,000
Air emissions 1,500,000
Water emissions 534,100
Land emissions 408,500
Off-site releases, transfers to disposal 162,100
Hazardous waste generators, shippers, and receivers 2011
Number of generators 51
Number of shippers 49
Number of receivers 1
Hazardous waste generated, shipped, and received 2011**
Generated 425,644
Shipped 1,300
Received 190
* In pounds
** In tons. Covers hazardous wastes regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976 as amended.
Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency, TRI Explorer Fact Sheet, Summary of TRI Information for Hawaii <https://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/tri_factsheet_search.searchfactsheet> accessed June 12, 2015, United States Environmental Protectional Agency, The National Biennial RCRA Hazardous Waste Report: 2011 Edition <https://www.epa.gov/solidwaste/inforesources/data/biennialreport/index.htm>
Table 4. Deposit Beverage Container Redemption (DBC) Rate (FY 2006-2016)   
Year (FY*) Units Sold (in millions) Units Redeemed (in millions) DBC Redemption Rate
2006 930 629 67.6%
2007 936 633 67.6%
2008 948 682 71.9%
2009 896 705 78.7%
2010 902 686 76.1%
2011 907 687 75.7%
2012 907 697 76.9%
2013 912 684 75.0%
2014 934 678 72.6%
2015 959 648 67.6%
2016 949 635 66.9%
2017 (YTD) 551 363 65.9% (Jul16-Feb17)
TOTAL 10,730 7,726 72.0%
Source: DOH, Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch
*State Fiscal Year ending June 30

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES DIVISION (EHSD):

Click on the following EHSD branches to learn more.

Sanitation (SAN)

Table 1: Food Establishment Permitting & Plan Reviews (SFY 2011-15*)
Type  2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15
Food Establishment (renewals) 4,800 5,300 5,300 9,441
Food Establishment (new)** 658 690 690 711
Temporary Food Permits 3,254 4,449 4,449 4,655
Building Plan reviews*** (Restaurants etc.) 563 553 553 583
Source: Environmental Health Services Division, Sanitation Branch
State Fiscal Year (July 1 to June 30)
* Food Establishment Renewals and New for 2011-2014 data is for Oahu only, 2014-15 data is for the entire State
** Food Permit approval inspections are done within 24 hours of a request
*** Plans are reviewed within 48 hours of complete submittal
Table 2: Food Establishments* requiring permits (SFY 2013 – 2015)
Island 2013-14 # of inspectors 2013-14 2014-15 # of inspectors 2014-15
Oahu 6,000 31 5,929 31
Hawaii 1,800 8 1,783 8
Maui 1,600 8 1,750 8
Kauai 690 3 700 3
Total 10,090 50 10,162 50
Source: Environmental Health Services Division, Sanitation Branch
State Fiscal Year (July 1 to June 30)
* Includes restaurants, hotels, caterers, food warehouses, markets, convenience stores, lunch wagons, push carts, and institutional kitchens for healthcare facilities, preschools, elementary schools, adult and child day care centers, and prisons.
Table 3: Food Establishments by Risk Category (SFY 2013-15*)
Risk Category 2013-14 2014-15
Category 1*- high risk level 3,363 3,045
Category 2**- mid risk level 3,363 3,350
Category 3***- low risk level 3,364 3,757
Total 10,090 10,152
Source: Environmental Health Services Division, Sanitation Branch
State Fiscal Year (July 1 to June 30)
Note: Risk category is determined based on the number of food handling or procedures
* Category 1 – a full-service establishment that has six to eight different food procedures, including receiving, cold storage, hot storage, thermal processing, transportation, cooling, reheating and display. Category 1 establishments are inspected three times a year.
** Category 2 – typically fast food establishments, which have three to five procedures, are inspected twice a year.
*** Category 3 – have up to two procedures, such as cookie or ice cream shops, are inspected once a year.

Indoor & Radiological Health Branch (IRHB)

Data forthcoming.

 

STATE LABORATORIES DIVISION (SLD):

Click on the ‘SLD Statistics’ accordion bar to learn more.

State Laboratories Division Statistics

Table 1: Number of Air Samples (Tests) Performed (CY 2012-2015*)
Number of Samples 2012 2013 2014 2015
Oahu 347,115 289,320 289,320  289,320
Kauai 52,560 52,560 52,560  52,560
Maui 70,080 70,080 105,120  105,120
Hawaii Island 315,360 315,360 306,600  306,600
TOTAL 785,115 727,320 753,600  753,600
Source: Department of Health, State Laboratories (SLD)
*Calendar year
Table 2. Regulatory Microbiology representative Ocean Water and Stream Tests (CY 2009-2014*)      
Number of Selected** Samples Tested 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Oahu State Lab  3,081  871  952 1,706 na 5,773
Kauai District Lab 777 973 1,007 1,060 1,898 1,670
Maui District Lab 1,109 1,219 1,095 1,306 2,560 1,964
Hawaii (Hilo) District Lab 1,207 985 1,211 782 514 520
Total 3,093 3,177 3,313 4,854 4,972 9,927
Source: Department of Health, State Laboratories (SLD)
* Calendar year
** SLD tests a wide variety of samples as needed.  Not all tests are reflected above.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (EHA)

Click on the various EHA offices to learn more.

EHA Enforcement

Enforcement by EHA Branch Report for SY 2014 (January-December 2014)

 Complaints Field Inspections Warning Notices Field Citations
Clean Air Branch 1,526 2,146 84 12
Solid & Hazardous Waste Branch 159 708 139 22
Clean Water Branch 193 62 27 21
Wastewater Branch 164 230 52 31
Safe Drinking Water Branch 29 66 26 0
3 Water Branches Total 386 358 105 52
EMD Total 2,071 3,140 328 80
Hazard Evaluation & Emergency Response 0 22 38 6
Indoor & Radiological Health Branch 553 928 85 2
Food Safety Branch 1,042 10,962 27 6,483
EHA TOTAL 3,690 15,052 478 6,571

Hazard Evaluation & Emergency Response (HEER) Office

Table 1. Oil and Chemical Releases (CY 2006-14)
Calendar Year Oil Releases to Land Oil Releases to Water Total Oil Releases Chemical Releases to Water Chemical Releases to Land Total Chemical Releases Total Oil & Chemical Releases
2006 206 178 384
2007 289 200 489
2008 198 107 305
2009 56 87 143 62 63 125 268
2010 126 92 218 65 131 196 414
2011 185 72 257 63 51 114 371
2012 203 65 268 38 70 108 376
2013 178 78 256 49 83 132 388
2014 159 71 230 32 104 136 366
Source: Department of Health, HEER
Table 2. Hawaii Toxic Release Inventory (TRI, in pounds, 2015*)
Category Amount in pounds
Recycled On-site 8,808
Recycled Off-site 3,187
Energy Recovery On-site 18,008
Energy Recovery Off-site 960
Treated On-site 4,456,661
Treated Off-site 2,130
Total On-site Disposal to Class I Underground Injection Wells, RCRA C Landfills & Other Landfills 400
Total other On-site Disposal or other releases 2,400,701
Total Off-site Disposal to Class I underground Injection Wells, RCRA C Landfills & Other Landfills 168,345
Total other Off-site Disposal or Other Releases 237
Total Production-related Waste Managed 7,059,437
Source:  https://iaspub.epa.gov/triexplorer/tri_release.chemical
* Preliminary 2015 data as of EPA update released October 2016 & updated November 29, 2016
Table 3. Federal Sites with Known Threats and Contaminants
National Superfund Program Sites Location Listed
Del Monte Corp. (Oahu Plantation) Kunia 12/16/1994
Naval Computer & Telecommunications Area Pearl Harbor 5/31/1994
Pearl Harbor Naval Complex Pearl Harbor 10/14/1992
Schofield Barracks (US Army) Wahiawa 8/30/1990
Source: U.S. EPA, National Priorities List Sites in Hawaii

Environmental Resource Office (ERO)

Number of Grants Managed (CY 2006-2014*)
Type of Grant 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Air Pollution 2 2 3 3 4 4 4 3 3
Lead 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Asbestos Removal 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Surface Water Pollution Control 6 6 6 6 7 7 17 15 18
Drinking Water Protection 3 3 3 3 4 4 9 11 12
Solid Waste Management & Protection 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 3
Wastewater Treatment 1 1 1 1 2 2 9 5 8
Hazard Evaluation, Emergency Response 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3
Environmental Information 2 2 2 2 2 2 6 5 5
TOTAL NUMBER OF GRANTS 21 21 22 22 27 27 53 47 54
Source: Environmental Resources Office
* Calendar year

Environmental Planning Office (EPO)

Table 1. Land Use Documents* Reviewed by EPO (CY**2010-2016)
Calendar Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
All Land Use Documents reviewed na*** 285 236 246 275 340 440
Source: Environmental Planning Office
* Includes PCEA, DEA, FEA, PCEIS, DEIS, FEIS, SEIS, NEPA, Community, Mgt. & Master Plans +
**Calendar Year
*** =Not available due to the RIF of three (3) General funded planner positions
Table 2: Number of EHA related Legislative Measures Tracked for (T)estimony* (CY 2017*)
  cab cwb sdwb wwb shwb emd san irhb ehsd heer ero epo cao sum
T 2 10 5 11 39 67 19 3 22 29 1 3 0 122
Source: EPO (LTS)
* Calendar year
Note: Does not include internal or external coordination activity with other Departments. FDB was deleted and absorbed into SAN.
Table 3: Number of DOH-EHA related Legislative Measures** (CY 2014-17*)
 Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Testimony 69 101 162 145 239 122 172 87
Information 181 63 102 60 156 45 183 na***
TOTAL 250 164 264 205 395 167 355 87
Source: DOH LTS
* Calendar year
** Does not include internal or external coordination activity
*** na = data not available

Compliance Assistance Office (CAO)

Number of Meetings Held with the Business Community (CY 2013-2016)
Type of Meeting 2013 2014 2015 2016 Average
Workshops 6 8 7 8 7
Association – contractors 12 12 11 10 11
Meeting for permits 50 60 67 75 63
TOTAL  68 80 85 93 82
Source: Compliance Assistance Office
* Calendar year

 

Office of Environmental Quality Control

The Office of Environmental Quality Control is attached directly to the leadership of Department of Health.  Click here to learn more about their activities.

OEQC Data

Number of HEPA Land Use Documents Received by OEQC by type (FY 2005-2015*)
Year 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Avg.
DEA 124 122 145 109 88 91 93 76 78 75 100
FEA 117 102 111 117 83 89 80 75 67 68 91
PEIS 15 16 13 11 16 9 4 3 7 11 11
DEIS 5 13 13 11 7 4 10 2 2 7 7
FEIS 6 8 8 9 9 6 7 7 2 4 7
SPNEIS 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0
SDEIS 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
SFEIS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
TOTAL** 267 261 290 260 203 201 195 164 157 166 216

Source: Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC) – draft data
* State FY (July-June)
Note: numbers may not reflect pre-consultation letters, exemption declarations, withdrawal notices, etc.

Terminology:
Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA)
Final Environmental Assessment (FEA)
Pre-notification Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS)
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)
Supplemental Pre-Notification of EIS (SPNEIS)
Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS)
Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement (SFEIS)

Data from Elsewhere in the State of Hawaii:

State of Hawaii, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) Data Books
https://dbedt.hawaii.gov/economic/databook/

Aloha+ Challenge Dashboard
https://dashboard.hawaii.gov/aloha-challenge

For any county, city, metro, and state in the U.S., DataUSA by MIT Media Lab pulls up visualizations of data on the economy, demographics, health, education, and housing. It’s essentially a one-stop shop for information that is easy to search, understand, embed, and build into new code.
https://datausa.io/profile/geo/hawaii

 

“He ‘onipa‘a ka ‘oiā‘i‘o.”

Truth is not changeable.

Last update: 08/27/2024 (first paragraph only)