Tools + Resources
National Resources
The Environmental Protection Agency site on Green Infrastructure. This site contains information to help you build and learn about national partnerships.
The National Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) Network is a collection of outreach education programs across the U.S. that educate local land use decision makers about protecting water quality as communities grow.
The Center for Watershed Protection, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to fostering responsible land and water management.
The American Society of Landscape Architects outlines Green Infrastructure as a professional practice. Includes an overview of benefits and practices.
State Resources
The State of Hawaiʻi Department of Health (HDOH) Clean Water Branch is in charge of administering stormwater NPDES permits and monitoring water quality.
The State of Hawaiʻi Office of Planning Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program website includes information on their various coastal issues including stormwater management.
The State of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation has put together a comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan Program, which includes the use of LID Best Management Practices.
The State of Hawaiʻi Office of Planning has a practitioner’s guide on LID that provides information on better site design principles, along with best management practices (BMPs) for stormwater management.
County Resources
The City and County of Honolulu Department of Environmental Services assists the city in developing and implementing Stormwater Management Program Plan for its Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer System (MS4) permits.
The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Public Works Engineering Division’s primary responsibility is to plan, design, review, and construct road, flood control facilities and bridges.
The County of Kauaʻi Department of Public Works Engineering Division works on the county’s Storm Water Management Program.
County of Maui Department of Public Works Engineering division.
Community Projects and Initiatives
The purpose of the West Maui Watershed Plan: Kahana, Honokahua and Honolua Watersheds Characterization Report is to evaluate watershed processes and determine land uses and activities that may generate non-point source pollutants.
The South Kohala Coastal Partnership was established through the guidance and collaboration of community members, associations, organizations, resource managers, state, and federal agencies.
To address the land-based pollution in the Maunalua region, Malama Maunalua (MM) has established a watershed program: Pulama Wai (Cherished Waters). Malama Maunalua’s watershed program Pulama Wai, had its first event in April 2012.
In 2007, Hui o Koʻolaupoko (HOK) was established as a permanent 501(c) 3 non-profit entity, serving as the successor organization of the Kailua Bay Advisory Council (KBAC)
Stormwater Manuals
A Handbook for Stormwater Reclamation and Reuse Best Management Practices in Hawaiʻi was put out by the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Commission on Water Resource Management
A Practitioner’s Guide to Low Impact Development distributed by the Hawaiʻi State Office of Planning.
Stormwater Management the Natural Way: Low Impact Design and Development by the Coral Reef Aliance.
Tools
Hawaiʻi Low Impact Development (LID) Atlas
The Hawaiʻi LID Atlas is a collection of alternative stormwater management practices currently installed across the state. The Atlas is hosted by the National Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) Network and the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant Program.
It is an online resource providing geo-referenced examples of green infrastructure and low impact development for stormwater management. You can browse the Atlas by either selecting a town, land use type, project type, or by simply clicking on pinned sites.
You can add your own project to the atlas by filling out the Hawaiʻi LID Atlas Submission Form.
Click the LID Atlas on the left to explore!
The ‘Rain Garden’ Mobile Application
‘Rain Garden’ is a free mobile application (app) designed to help you properly install a rain garden at your home, office, or job site.
Through video tutorials, diagrams, text, and tools, the app guides you through determining the size and placement of your garden, selecting plants, digging and planting your garden, and maintaining your garden.
It also includes tools for determining your soil type, measuring the size of the area that will drain to your garden, and managing multiple rain garden projects.
Download the app to your smartphone to get started.