2024 Pacific Water Conference

The American Water Works Association Hawai‘i Section and the Hawai‘i Water Environment Association are proud to announce the eleventh annual joint conference now known as the Pacific Water Conference at the Hawai‘i Convention Center from February 20-22, 2024. Our joint conference committee is hard at work to bring you an exciting, fun, and educational conference.

The Pre-Conference Workshop kicks things off on February 20. The Conference officially opens on February 21 and lasts through February 22. Remember to check out the exhibitors showcasing the newest and latest products in the industry. With five technical session tracks to choose from, there’s sure to be one that piques your interest. The conference golf tournament will be held on February 23 at the Hawaii Prince Golf Course, and the community service event will take place on February 24.

We look forward to seeing all of you at the Conference!

Aloha,

Darnelle Chung | Bryan Wienand | Troy Ching
pacificwatercon@gmail.com
2024 Conference Chairs

Registration

*Speakers receive complimentary conference access, lunch, and parking for day that they are presenting.  For an additional $100, speakers can purchase conference access, lunch, and parking for each additional day of the conference for which they are not presenting.  Evening events are NOT included and can be purchased separately.  Speaker rate is for ONE person per session.

**Exhibitors: fee includes 2 exhibitor conference access (2 day attendance & parking) + 2 meet & greet tickets. Lunch and banquet tickets can be purchased separately.  Additional meet & greet tickets can be purchased separately. 

***Students: $25 entry fee includes parking. Students get a booklet (if we have extras) but DO NOT receive conference bags. Lunch & evening events can be purchased separately.

****Retired: registration fee includes conference, lunch, & parking. Evening events must be purchased separately.

Note:

1.  We are providing a Young Professionals (YP) pre-conference discount of $50 off if you sign up for the YP pre-conference track.  No code is necessary to receive the discount.

2.  FOR CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS, please be advised there is a 3.75% processing fee per transaction.

Refund Policy:
Cancellations made by December 31, 2023 will receive a 95% refund of fees paid
Cancellations made by January 20, 2024 will receive a 50% refund of fees paid
After February 1, no refunds will be issued.  Paid registrations may be transferred at cost.

Individual Registration at https://www.hwea.org/hweaevents/2024-pacific-water-conference/individual-registration.

Group Registration at https://www.hwea.org/hweaevents/2024-pacific-water-conference/group-registration.

Contributions ~ Become A Sponsor

As always, we could not have the PWC be a success without our generous sponsors! See below donation levels for this year:

Please fill out the donation form. Submit the form with your check. Make checks payable to “HWEA.” The check and form must be postmarked by December 15, 2023.

Mailing Address: Brandon Uejo, ParEn, Inc. dba Park Engineering, 711 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1500, Honolulu, HI 96813.

Submit company logo (.jpg format) or conference booklet ad (.jpg format) to pwchicontributions@gmail.com by December 15, 2023. (*Note: Donation forms and checks received after December 15, 2023 may not receive full benefits. Please contact pwchicontributions@gmail.com for questions.)

If interested in making a contribution, please contact Brandon Uejo and John Kim by email at pwchicontributions@gmail.com or by phone at 808-784-2532.

Both AWWA-HI Section and HWEA are 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. Please consult your tax advisor or the IRS to determine whether your donation is tax deductible. If you require a W-9 form, please email your request to pwchidonations@gmail.com.

CLICK HERE: 2024 Pacific Water Conference Contributions Forms

Hotel Information

We are partnering with the Ala Moana hotel again this year to offer our out-of-town attendees special rates for their stay in Honolulu, Hawaii. The all-new Ala Moana Hotel is the definitive Honolulu address for urban relaxation. A multi-million dollar transformation reveals a stunning hotel with a contemporary character and island-style appeal.

Adjoining world-class Ala Moana Shopping Center, it’s a pleasant stroll to nearly 300 retailers showcasing the finest names in fashion and a delightful array of dining. When business is done, the 76-acre Ala Moana Beach Park welcomes swimming, surfing, and day-dreaming in a shady setting by the sea.

  • We will provide a link to book your room soon!

  • To plan for the trip, the 2024 Room Rates are as follows:

    • Kona Tower 

      • Single/Double Rate: $189.00 plus taxes

    • Waikiki Tower 

      • Single/Double Rate: $219.00 plus taxes

      • Triple Rate: $269.00 

Hotel Reservations link

  • Important Remarks

    • Type of room availability is limited, so please book soon!

    • Room block cut-off date is January 19, 2024. Room requests after the cut-off date will be confirmed based on space availability, and if available will be extended at the group rate.

    • Room extensions of three (3) night prior and three (3) nights after group dates of February 19, 2024 – February 24, 2024 will be honored at the group rate (subject to availability)

    • Room cancellations with in 72 hours of arrival will be assessed a one (1) night room and tax penalty.

    • Room rates listed above exclude taxes, please visit the booking page for more information. Extra adult charge is $50 per person. No additional charge for Children, Under 18 years. Maximum allowable in Kona Tower at (2) per room and Waikiki Tower at (3) per room utilizing existing bedding.  No Rollaway. Room rates are plus taxes, currently 17.962% and subject to change.   

    • Kona Tower (rooms with city/mountain or partial ocean views):  All rooms are decorated in cool colors in contemporary style.  Room amenities include 37” LCD flat screen TV, coffee maker (free for first service daily), microwave oven, refrigerator, clock radio, in-room safe, iron/board, hair dryer.  Furnishings include one queen bed, armchair, large desk, and bureau.  Sliding glass window opens to allow fresh air into the room.

    • Waikiki Tower (rooms with city/mountain, partial ocean and ocean views):  All rooms are decorated in cool colors in contemporary style.  Room amenities include 37” LCD flat screen TV, coffee maker (free for first service daily), microwave oven, refrigerator, clock radio, in-room safe, iron/board, hair dryer.   Furnishings include a choice of bed type, either one king bed plus comfortable sleeper chair or two double beds.  These rooms also include a large desk, bureau, and sliding glass door opens to an ample lanai (balcony) with two outdoor chairs and table.

Call for Abstracts

Individuals who would like to present a paper at the 2024 Pacific Water Conference must submit an abstract, limited to 2,500 characters or less (with spaces), describing their presentation in sufficient detail to allow evaluation of the proposed topic. The upcoming conference will be held in person. Presentations will be in 30 minute blocks: roughly 25 minutes of presentation, 5 minutes of Q&A.

Selection Process

All abstracts will be reviewed and selected on: Originality, Technical Content, and Quality.

  • Abstracts due October 6, 2023

  • Presenters notified by December 1, 2023

  • Presentations due February 12, 2024

No travel or assistance funds are available for speakers. Speakers will be responsible for all their transportation, lodging, and registration fees. Speaker registration does not include admission to evening events, which can be purchased as add-on items. Speakers will be responsible for registering themselves. Registration fee is waived for one speaker on the day of the presentation. Accompanying co-presenters must register as a full attendee. There is a flat fee for speakers to attend additional days of the conference for which they are not presenting.

Please ensure all information submitted is complete and correct, as it will be used in promotional materials and submitted for CEU approval.

Please email your abstract and/or questions to the Technical Program Chairs: pwc.technical@gmail.com

General Membership Meeting

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Exhibitor Registration

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Golf Tournament

The 2024 Pacific Water Conference Golf Tournament is scheduled for Friday, February 23, 2024, at the beautiful Hawaii Prince Golf Club. Please join us and submit a team (or two).

Registration at 10:30 am

  • Shotgun at 12:00 pm

  • Dinner & Prizes immediately following tournament

For more information, contact Ashley Koza (atk@akinaka.com)

 

Registration Deadline: Friday, December 29, 2023

Payment Deadline: Friday, January 26, 2024

Make checks payable to “HWEA” and mail to:

AWWA/HWEA Golf Tournament c/o Akinaka & Associates, Ltd. 1100 Alakea Street, Suite 1800 Honolulu, HI 96813 Attention: Ashley Koza

2023 Student Poster Contest Winners

Kathryn Yoshimura Muse, Youth Education Committee Chair

Brian Allen presents his project to judges

We had a good turnout at the 2023 Fresh Ideas Poster Competition during the Pacific Water Conference. There were two new students with one returning from last year for a total of three posters entered in the contest. The posters are judged on originality, scientific principles, benefit to the Drinking Water industry, and visual appeal.

Mandy-Tanita Brinkmann took first place overall for her project: Potential of Disinfection Byproducts formation during Chlorination of Petroleum Hydrocarbon-contaminated Groundwater and was awarded $360 cash prize.

Min Ki Jeon was a returning student presenting his project: Cross-correlation Analysis after Data Prewhitening Reveals Early Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from Wastewater Ahead of COVID-19 Clinical Cases coming in second place and was awarded $240 cash prize.

Brian Allen presented his project: Importance of Escherichia coli cell age and cell number in the formation of coliphage lysis rings that is still in progress and took third place winning $120 cash prize.

Thank you to the judges and the students for participating this year! §

2023 PWC Photo Contest Winners

Theme 1: People of the Industry – Every person in every aspect of our water community is responsible for providing clean water to ourselves and to our environment.  The many people that make up our industry are as diverse as they are skilled.  Photos of these hardworking individuals will be spotlighted in this theme.

1st Place Winner and People's Choice Award: Our People are the Pillars of the Industry; Joyce Lin - Seeing our reservoir built from the grounds up was humbling. While standing inside the empty reservoir, every one of us looked like little specks in comparison to the towering pillars and wall. Yet, there we were, working continuously together to build something grand and essential for our community.

2nd Place Winner: Absorbing, Heather Iwasaki - There’s nothing like trekking high above Mokuleia with 20+ endemic plants strapped to your back. The canopy is so thick that the sun is able to fight its way through only in a couple of places. At a clearing, we take a break and wait for the others to catch up. It’s a meeting of the minds so deep in the forest; there is so much knowledge to soak in. My wish is to be like one of the plants I carry on my back, to absorb this information as it absorbs light.

3rd Place Winner: Waianae Lessons, Heather Iwasaki - Deep in the Waianae forest, it felt like I was on a treasure hunt. Armed with only a hand-drawn map, who knew I’d leave with more than just the locations of some sources in our system. Shortly after our first state-wide shutdown was lifted, I felt a little lost and very alone as I started on a new project at work. I coordinated with various division and sections and eventually met our field crew in Waianae. They reminded me that team work still looks the same even in the face of uncertainty; full of support, cohesivity, and laughter.

 
 

Theme 2: Treatment  – All forms of water undergo treatment. Drinking, waste, and storm water all have implementations to treat the water before consumption or discharge into the environment.  Photos for this theme will showcase the facilities and structures designed to treat the various forms of water in our lives.

People’s Choice Award: Colors of Wahiawa, Timothy Lum Yee - The photographer of this photo is partially colorblind. Some colors and shades can be difficult to see or distinguish. However, on a site visit to the Wahiawa WWTP, the deep rich colors of water quality and treatment were observed and appreciated. The bright green shows the process of eutrophication or what happened when nutrients are not removed. The blue skies and dark green trees remind us of the environment we aim to protect. The grey and light-colored structures represent our technological design. This photo represents science and technology in action on a beautiful Hawaii day.

1st Place Winner: A Walk Down Memory Lane, Heather Iwasaki - Take an eerie ride down a rickety tram, a large pipeline parallels your gradual descent into a dimly lit cavern. The hum of the pumps slowly fade away as you walk down a long, craggy hallway. Up ahead in the gloom, you reach a small viewing portal. There it is, pure freshwater just beyond your reach. You wake up, reality sets in. The future that lies beyond the plexiglass starts with the letter ‘T’: trepidation, testing, treatment.

2nd Place Winner: Treated or Untreated - That is the Question, Heather Iwasaki - Nestled on the rugged slopes of Hualalai lies a volunteer cabin. After a hard day’s work weeding, watering and planting, we head back to the cabin for dinner. I begin to prepare the salad. I ask around, is the water from the catchment system treated? No one knows. Do we risk the change [stet] of contracting rat lung worm disease or do we risk the possibility that the water might not be treated?

3rd Place Winner: Next Generation of Wastewater Treatment, Timothy Lum Yee - On a site visit of Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant, this photo was taken of the on-going construction with a plane flying above. It was as though the plane reflected Honolulu’s active pursuit of new technologies.

Community Service Event

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Updated:  12/20/2023_JS