The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Facility Management and nonprofit organization Mālama Maunalua are teaming up to launch a pilot Rainwater Capture Incentive Program that aims to help Oahu residents capture and make use of rainwater.

What You Need To Know

  • The goal of the pilot Rainwater Capture Incentive Program is to reroute rainwater that flows into the municipal stormwater system — storm drains, ditches and streams — that can pick up major pollutants from roads and parking lots and carry them into the marine environment

  • Doug Harper of Mālama Maunalua added, “Addressing stormwater runoff is one of the great challenges to protecting our environment and communities. Only by the public proactively participating can we hope to adequately address the issue.”

More and more cities around the world are developing “green infrastructure” — methods to capture rainwater using vegetation, soils and natural elements to treat, infiltrate and store stormwater, according to a release. These include bioswales, rain gardens, rain barrels or cisterns, and permeable pavement. All are lowcost and effectively manage stormwater and include additional benefits such as local job opportunities, increased property values and public health benefits per the release.

The goal of the pilot Rainwater Capture Incentive Program is to reroute rainwater that flows into the municipal stormwater system — storm drains, ditches and streams — that can pick up major pollutants from roads and parking lots and carry them into the marine environment.

Over 15 organizations and agencies have provided their expertise and guidance to develop the program funded by the Wai Maoli Hawaii Freshwater Initiative.

“DFM is thrilled to co-lead this pilot program initiative,” said Gene Albano, director and chief engineer of the Department of Facility Maintenance, in the release. “We look forward to further fulfilling our department’s mission of empowering individuals to maximize their ability to capture rainwater to help cherish our island’s freshwater and improve ocean water quality to protect the public’s health and the environment.”

Through the program, Oahu residents — owners, renters, single-family home or apartment owners — can acquire free rainwater capture solutions with a focus on applicants from underserved communities, including economically disadvantaged, multi-generational and kūpuna-led households.

An app developed by 3Rwater with support from DFM, “Follow the Drop,” is available to download on Apple Store and Google Play. It can help property managers and residents assess how much rainwater a property could capture, help size solutions that are eligible for the incentive program and submit them directly for consideration.

The pilot program covers supply costs and the installation of a rain barrel, a rain garden or a native tree. Residents can learn more and apply for the program on the Rainwater Capture Incentive Program website. The application period is through March 31. Funding is limited.

“Stormwater is, and always will be, a shared responsibility requiring the collective, vigilant, and continued involvement by all stakeholders,” said Randall Wakumoto, program administrator for DFM’s Storm Water Quality Division.

Doug Harper of Mālama Maunalua added, “Addressing stormwater runoff is one of the great challenges to protecting our environment and communities. Only by the public proactively participating can we hope to adequately address the issue. I’m excited about this opportunity and look forward to demonstrating how we as a community can protect our island and ourselves.”