| The ideal watershed behavior is to get residents to fully understand the connection between storm drains and downstream waters and avoid any activity that discharges pollutants. This awareness is most often created by stenciling storm drain inlets using the oopu (native goby) stencil with the message, "Dump No Waste, Protect Our Waters For Life, E Malama I Ka Wai Ola (Hawaiian)." The negative watershed behavior is to use storm drains as a means of disposal for trash, yard waste and household products.
Storm drain stenciling sends a clear message to keep trash and debris, automobile fluids, leaf litter and organic matter out of the storm drain system. Stencils may also reduce residential spills and illicit discharges. Stenciling is also a direct and local way to increase watershed awarenes and practice neighborhood stewardship; stenciling is always a sign of good neighborhood housekeeping.
Volunteer leaders must complete a mandatory 45-minute training/safety briefing. The City provides a fact sheet, release form, catch basin map, storm drain stenciling kit; stencils, Clean Water Hero brochure with useful phone numbers.
Participation/Involvement: A partnership between the City and County of Honolulu, athletic directors from the Interscholastic League of Honolulu (ILH) and Oahu Interscholastic Association (OIA), local Lions Clubs and Salem Media. In 2009, 30 public and private school, as well as community groups participated in the back-to-school storm drain stenciling campaign. The overall goal was to stencil 3,000 storm drains during a one month period, from August 10 to September 9. This is a successful campaign that will be implemented as an annual storm water public education kickoff campaign.
Educational Materials Related to the Storm Drain Stenciling Campaign
For a storm drain stenciling kit, please contact 768-3248
or email
. Please provide name of the troop leader, watershed or community and total number of volunteers. The Storm Water Branch will conduct a safety orientation and provide forms, stenciling supplies and maps.
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