(Honolulu, HI) – The University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program (Hawai‘i Sea Grant) is accepted applications for Ola Waikīkī, a transformative project aimed at improving the health of the Ala Wai Canal by providing funding for pilot projects that focus on green stormwater infrastructure.

Green stormwater infrastructure is a collection of design strategies that mimic nature to manage and treat stormwater, and encourages water to infiltrate into the ground, minimizing and slowing the flow of runoff and removing contaminants.

Applications for local green stormwater infrastructure installations in highly visible locations suitable for demonstration and education were encouraged. In addition, applications from entities looking to restore, maintain, or plan green infrastructure in the Ala Wai Watershed were also welcome.

To shape the direction of the pilot projects selected to receive funding, the wider community of residents, businesses, and local stakeholders were invited to actively participate by contributing their insights and observations in an online survey.

Dr. Darren T. Lerner, Hawai‘i Sea Grant director, noted “The Ala Wai watershed is infamous for its pollution problems. This effort will incorporate community input to inform real-world pilot projects that residents can see and experience. These green infrastructure demonstration projects will offer a larger vision for the change that is possible in the future of the watershed.”

Ola Waikīkī is funded by a congressional appropriation led by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz. The project team includes Hawai‘i Sea Grant’s principal investigator Dr. Darren T. Lerner, and co-investigators Melanie Lander, community planning and design extension agent, and Dolan Eversole, coastal processes specialist.

For more information on the project, please visit https://seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/olawaikiki/