The state Department of Health has fined Marine Corps Base Hawaii $240,250 for releasing dangerous levels of enterococci bacteria into the ocean on numerous occasions between August 2020 and February 2022.

What You Need To Know

  • Discharge from the Kaneohe Bay Water Reclamation Facility included higher-than-allowed levels of bacteria

  • The Department of Health said the Marine Corps failed to report the violations promptly

  • Besides the fine, DOH’s notice of violation orders the Marine Corps to upgrade the facility

  • The Marine Corps will contest the case

The unauthorized discharges originated from the base’s Kaneohe Bay Water Reclamation Facility.

“The Marine Corps’ actions demonstrate a disregard for protecting our precious ocean waters,” said Kathleen Ho, Deputy Director of Environmental Health. “We will continue to hold violators accountable and protect public health and the environment.”

The facility regularly discharges treated wastewater in to the ocean but on several occasions over the last two years, discharge from the facility included enterococci bacteria at levels higher than allowed. DOH claims the Marine Corps failed to notify DOH of the violations in a timely manner.

Besides the fine, DOH’s notice of violation orders the Marine Corps to upgrade the Kaneohe Bay Water Reclamation Facility to include disinfection of final effluent. The Marine Corps is required to submit its plan to upgrade the facility to DOH for review and approval.

DOH reported that the Marine Corps has submitted a request for a contested case hearing. A hearing date is pending.