Two weeks ago I wrote about the one year anniversary of Hawaii's largest sewage spill. The spill that occurred over the course of six days in March 2006 dumped 48 million gallons of raw sewage into the Ala Wai canal in Honolulu. The city has accepted responsibility for the cause of last year's spill but is fighting a lawsuit brought by a Waikiki surfer who suffered serious infections from surfing in the sewage laden waters off of Hilton Lagoon Beach.

"[Lisa Kennedy] sought medical treatment at the Medical Corner in Waikiki. Kennedy ended up in the hospital for nearly two weeks after infection set in. A culture taken showed four of the five types of bacteria she contracted come from fecal matter.

She underwent surgery to remove infected tissue, doubling the size of the 4-inch-long wound and leaving her permanently disfigured. She continues to feel the sensation of fingernails under her skin, likely from the tissue regenerating, her doctor told her. She can no longer sleep on her back, and sitting for long periods is uncomfortable.

‘It looks like someone put a golf ball on my butt and swung it and took a divot out,' she said. She remains under a doctor's care and anticipates further surgery later." - Honolulu Star Bulletin

Kennedy and a friend unknowingly went surfing in these seriously sickened waters on March 28, 2006 - the day after the sewage spill started. The city, however, didn't post warning signs on affected beaches until March 29, two full days after thousands of gallons of sewage had already poured into Ala Wai canal an ultimately into the Pacific Ocean.

Ms. Kennedy's tragic story is just one more example of the need for federal Right-to-Know legislation establishing the proper protocol to protect people from the dangers of coming into contact with sewage pollution.