Hawaii health regulators recommend renewing Marisco Ltd water permit
State health regulators in Hawaii tentatively recommended renewing a water pollution control permit for Marisco, Ltd. on October 14, 2026, allowing the ship repair facility to continue discharging wastewater from drydock operations into Barbers Point Harbor under strict pollution controls.
Drydock Operations and Discharge Outfalls in Kapolei
The Hawaii Department of Health Clean Water Branch issued its preliminary decision to renew National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit number HI 0021893 for Marisco, Ltd., located at 91-607 Malakole Street on the Island of Oahu. The facility provides repair services to government and commercial ships using floating drydocks and land-based maintenance shops. Activities conducted at the shipyard include sandblasting vessel surfaces, repainting with anti-fouling paint, and executing hull, electrical, and mechanical repairs.
The facility operates across two non-contiguous shoreline areas within Barbers Point Harbor. The main portion sits on the southwest side of the harbor, featuring the Peleke Nui floating drydock, supporting maintenance shops, and administrative offices. The Peleke Nui drydock discharges treated water to Barbers Point Harbor through Outfall Serial No. 011. The second work area sits at the northeast portion of the harbor, housing the Lil’ Perris and Skipper floating drydocks alongside an adjacent shoreline support area. The Lil’ Perris drydock discharges through Outfall Serial No. 001, while the Skipper drydock discharges through Outfall Serial No. 014.
Floating drydocks utilize internal ballast tanks flooded with harbor water to lower the platform and pumped out to raise it. Once a vessel is secured on the platform, water in the tanks is pumped out to elevate the ship for repair work. Following the completion of repairs, workers sweep, vacuum, and wash the deck before reflooding the ballast tanks to submerge the platform and release the vessel. Washwater generated during these procedures is pumped directly to shoreside holding tanks for evaporation. Stormwater discharges from the facility, previously covered under the overarching permit, will transition to coverage under a separate permit outlined in Hawaii Administrative Rules 11-55 Appendix B, as reported by health.hawaii.gov.
Water Classification and Public Comment Timeline
Barbers Point Harbor is classified by the Department of Health as Class A, Marine, Dry Embayment under Section 11-54-6 of the Hawaii Administrative Rules. State regulations mandate that Class A waters protect recreational purposes and aesthetic enjoyment while permitting other uses compatible with the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, wildlife, and marine recreation.
The public comment period opened on October 14, 2026, and runs through November 13, 2026. Individuals wishing to comment upon or object to the proposed permit, or request a public hearing, must submit written statements no later than thirty calendar days after the notice date. Submissions are accepted via email at cleanwaterbranch@doh.hawaii.gov or by mail to P.O. Box 3378, Honolulu, Hawaii 96801-3378.
Physical copies of the recommended permit and supporting documentation are available for public inspection Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at the Clean Water Branch office located at 2827 Waimano Home Road, Room 225, Pearl City, Hawaii 96782. Electronic files and updates are hosted online through the Hawaii Department of Health Clean Water Branch Public Notices portal. Additional records remain accessible via the Active Public Notices and Upcoming Public Hearings directory maintained by health.hawaii.gov.
Clean Water Branch Oversees Permit Inquiries and Assistance
Mr. Reef Migita, supervisor of the engineering section at the Clean Water Branch, oversees inquiries regarding the permit application and accommodations. Individuals with special needs or disabilities requiring aid to inspect or comment on the documents can contact the engineering supervisor at (808) 586-4309. TTY and TDD users may connect through Sprint Relay Hawaii by dialing 1-711 or 1-877-447-5991.
Clean Water Branch Chief Darryl Lum stated that if the Director of Health determines significant public interest exists, a public hearing will be scheduled after at least thirty calendar days of public notice. If the branch determines after considering all timely written comments that no substantive changes to the permit conditions are warranted, it will recommend that the Director issue the final NPDES permit for a standard duration of five years.