Healthy Yards, Clean Streams Workshop For Homeowners

Homeowners can be everyday clean water heroes and better environmental stewards who make water quality enhancing choices regarding fertilization, pesticide application, mulching, composting, native plants, geosynthetics and sediment control, channel guard for rain gutters, grasspave/gravelpave for porous paving, healthy yard care, and integrated pest management.

Workshop Flyer | Downspout Disconnection Handout

2010 Earth Month is here!

Click here for Earth Month 2010.

City Storm Water Quality Management kicks off back-to-school storm drain stenciling campaign!

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
- Clean Water Hero Brochure 1
- Clean Water Hero Brochure 2
- Website
- Data collection through an online field data form
- Radio spots with high school scholar-athletes, business and civic leaders

• Tip Card: Floatables
• Tip Card: Floatables (Filipino)
• Tip Card: Floatables (Korean)
• Tip Card: Floatables (Samoan)
• Tip Card: Floatables (Tongan)
• Tip Card: Floatables (Chuukese)

Pollution Prevention Best Management Practices Online

The City and County of Honolulu, CTAHR and the Hawaii Department of Agriculture collaborated to develop agricultural best management practices to minimize unnecessary pollution of Oahu's streams and watersheds. The best management practices can now be found at the following link (click under City and County of Honolulu): www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/fac/publica.html.

• Click here to watch video

Includes interviews with Chester Saito of GCA, Gerald Takayesu of the City's Storm Water Quality Branch, Tony Gaston of Waiawa Development, Henry Eng of City's Department of Planning and Permitting, Troy Ogasawara of GeoTech Solutions, and Pratt Kinimakai of the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation.

This DVD was funded by the City and County of Honolulu, County of Maui, State of Hawaii Department of Transportation, State of Hawaii Department of Health and EPA Region 9. The purpose is to provide a training tool on BMPs for the construction industry, including agency personnel, developers, contractors, and end users.

Mahalo nui loa to Actus, Hickam, SSFM, DOT-Airports, Dick Pacific, and Hawaiian Dredging for construction site acess.

The overall goal of the video is to increase awareness of BMPs during construction, including erosion and sediment control and polluted runoff from other contractor activities. The specific goal is to produce and show the video to a total of 300 persons by the end of summer 2008.

Background
The City and County of Honolulu, through the Storm Water Management Program (SWMP), is legally bound to implement the mandates of a 1987 amendment to the Federal Clean Water Act and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit. The federal government regulates water that enters the ocean and other bodies of water. This federal regulation requires permits for stormwater discharges from Muncipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems or MS4s in urbanized areas and for construction activities disturbing one or more acres. Changes at the local and statewide level have included new requirements to further reduce the amounts of pollutants entering the ocean and other bodies of water.

To do this, we need the help of everyone who lives on Oahu. Permits for regulated MS4s require the development, implementation and enforcement of a Storm Water Management Program that includes the following "six minimum control measures":

1. public education and outreach on storm water impacts;
2. public involvement/participation;
3. illicit discharge detection and elimination;
4. construction site storm water runoff control;
5. post-construction storm water management in new developments and redevelopments; and
6. pollution prevention/good housekeeping for municipal operations.

To Order Your Free Copy
Contact the City's Storm Water Quality Branch at stormwaterhonolulu@gmail.com or 768-3300 .

KEIKI WATER FEST
Saturday, 28 April 2007
10 am - 2 pm
Hawaii's Plantation Village in Waipahu
Learn all about water through learning stations and exhibits where you can actively engage in hands-on water activities and investigations.
Topics include the hydrological cycle, ground water, spring water, water sampling, wetlands, water conservation, soils, plants, living history and much more.
Free admission to the Hawaii's Plantation Village Backyard Buddies: stream sampling, 9 actions you can do around your home to be an Everyday Environmental Hero, free oil change boxes City and County of Honolulu Storm Water Quality Branch, Division of Environmental Quality, Department of Environmental Services:

Water, there's no substitute: water conservation Honolulu Board of Water Supply Hydrological cycle, porosity and permeability U.S. Geological Survey Save Our Wetlands State Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife Something Fishy's Goin' On State Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources Where is Apoha? Picture frame and info on non-point source pollution State Department of Health Clean Water Branch Waipahu Farmer's Market Waipahu Community Association Water Legends (Storytelling) City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation Runoff or Recharge?
Oahu Invasive Species Committee
"Ke Akua Ka`au o ke Kai - God's Medicine From the Sea"; limu, petting area, fish printing The Limu Project We All Live In A Watershed Oahu Resource Conservation and Development, Inc. (Oahu RC&D) What is EM?
EM Hawaii, LLC.
Put Opala In Its Place
City Refuse and Recycling
Oil Slick - Modern Firefighting Technology Honolulu Fire Department Cooperating Agencies: Moanalua High School, Lions Club, Hawaii's Plantation Village
Event refreshments provided by

KAPAKAHI STREAM CLEANUP AND POUHALA MARSH RESTORATION Saturday, 28 April 2007
8 - 11 am
Pouhala Marsh in Waipahu
Sponsored by City and County of Honolulu Department of Environmental Services, State Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Nature Center, Oahu RC&D EARTH MONTH IN THE ALA WAI WATERSHED Saturday, 21 April 2007
8 - 11 am
Various Work Projects
Fish Stocking, State DLNR, Waikiki Aquarium 10:30 - 11:30 am U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Earth Day Tour U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pacific Regional Visitor Center (between the Hale Koa Hotel and the Army Museum on Kalia Road ) Ala Moana Park Cleanup Meet at the Ala Moana Park Diamond Head Concession 8:30 - 10:30 am

Adopt-A-Highway / State DOT and Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel Ala Moana Boulevard Cleanup TBA Adopt-A-Stream / Palolo-Chaminade
9 - 11 am
Meet in front of Gerber Fieldhouse on the St. Louis School Campus

Adopt-A-Stream / Manoa-Palolo Drainage Channel / UH Environmental Law Society 9:00 am - 11:00 am Meet at Koali Road near Old Waialae Road Adopt-A-Stream / Malama O Manoa
9 - 10:30 am Meet at Woodlawn Bridge, across the Manoa Marketplace

Manoa Streambank Improvements
8:30 am - Noon
Meet at the Manoa District Park amphitheater near the Kahaloa bridge

Makiki Wai Trail Improvement / State DLNR
9 am - 2 pm
Meet at the Makiki State Park
Earth Month/Nanakuli Cleanup
Adopt-A-Block
Saturday, 14 April 2007
8:30 - 11 am
Meet at Nanakuli Beach Park, Nanakuli High/Intermediate School Earth Month/Kalihi Cleanup Adopt-A-Block Saturday, 14 April 2007 8:30 - 11 am Meet at Nalanieha and Piliwai Street Earth Month/Palolo Valley Cleanup Adopt-A-Block Saturday, 14 April 2007 8:30 - 11 am Meet at Palolo Valley Recreation Center Earth Month/Salt Lake Restoration Adopt-A-Stream Saturday, 14 April 2007 8:30 - 10:30 am Meet at Salt Lake Elementary School Earth Month/Makiki Stream Stewards Cleanup Adopt-A-Stream Saturday, 14 April 2007 8:30 - 11 am Meet at Makiki Stream, South King and Kalakaua Earth Month/Pearl Harbor Bike Path Cleanup Adopt-A-Block Saturday, 7 April 8:30 - 11 am Meet at Neal S. Blaisdell Park and Aiea Bay Park Photos Earth Month Kick Off at Kapolei Hale City and County of Honolulu Department of Environmental Services Storm Water Quality 1st Annual Earth Month Teen Video and Photo Contest This contest is dedicated to a new generation of talented filmmakers and photograhers with unique ideas, energy and community connections to provide meaningful water pollution prevention messages that benefit their communities. Categories incuded storm drains and streams, soil and erosion control, trash and best of show.
Awards were presented to the winners at the Mayor's Earth Month Proclamation and Kick Off Rally on Monday, March 19, 2007 at Kapolei Hale. Mahalo to Lex Brodie's and GeoTech Solutions, Inc. for donations of MAC computers and a digital camera. Refreshments were provided by McDonald's of Kapolei. The winning videos air on KHON2, KITV4 and KGMB during Earth Month in April. All videos will play at City Satellites during Earth Month.
Teen Video Winners (tie for first place) "Our Waters," Desiree Agngarayngay, Campbell High School Sponsoring Teacher: Oscar Ramiscal "Keep Trash In The Can", Susan Bowyer, Hokulani Matutino, Kiana Bersamin, Waianae Intermediate School Sponsoring Teacher: Luane Higuchi Teen Photo Contest Winner "Shoe", Danielle Choate, Nanakuli High School Sponsoring Teacher: Robin Kitsu

Earth Month Tabloid - Be An Everyday Environmental Hero For more information, call 768-3300 or email stormwaterhonolulu@gmail.com.

Adopt-A-Stream Workshop - City and County of Honolulu residents can learn more about the riparian ecosystem, which is the green strip of vegetation alongside a stream, and the physical and chemical properties of water.

Call 692-5208 to register.

Adopt-A-Stream School Assembly - For students grades 4 and up. Teachers will receive information on the City's storm drain system, training and supplies. Call 692-5208 for more information.

Make a Difference Day

• Palolo Valley 1st Anniversary Cleanup
• Ewa 1st Anniversary Cleanup
• Kapakahi Stream Cleanup and Pouhala Marsh Restoration
• Nanakuli Cleanup
• Makiki Stream Cleanup and Restoration
• Kapolei Cleanup

Earth Month Work Projects - April is a time to focus on volunteers in the City's Adopt-A-Stream, Adopt-A-Block, and Storm Drain Stenciling programs and what they can do together with the City to help keep pollutants out of our streams and the ocean. Click here to view the Storm Water Quality Volunteer Work Projects.

Earth Day at Pouhala Marsh, Waipahu - Saturday, April 29, 8 a.m. to Noon.  Interagency effort between the City, state Department of Land and Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Pouhala Marsh in Pearl Harbor's West Loch.  Cooperating organizations include the Honolulu Police Department, New Hope Leeward, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Pearl Harbor Historic Trails (PHHT), Waipahu High School, Waipahu Community Association, U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Navy.  The state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife manages this area as a new Waterbird Sanctuary.  The 70-acre Pouhala Marsh is the largest remaining wetland in Pearl Harbor and a vital habitat for the Hawaiian stilt which is currently on the endangered species list. During nesting seasons, more than 150 birds, 10 percent of the global stilt population, can be seen on the marsh.  It is also a critical habitat for migratory shorebirds. 

Read story>>

Palolo Adopt-A-Stream - Saturday, April 8, 8 a.m. to Noon.  The City and Mutual Housing Association of Hawaii are working together to increase awareness of storm water pollution prevention, encourage community involvement and promote behaviors that will keep pollutants out of local streams and the ocean.  Pukele Stream extends high into the conservation district and joins with Waiomao Stream to create Palolo Stream near Palolo Elementary School.  Cooperating organizations include the Ala Wai Watershed Association.

Earth Day 2006 - Saturday, April 22, 8 a.m. to Noon.
Earth Day Newsletter (pdf)

The City will team up with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, U.S. Army Engineer District, Honolulu and other groups to work on the Ala Wai Canal. Other cooperating agencies include the Ala Wai Watershed Association,  Boy Scouts, Chaminade University, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Girl Scouts, Hawaii Nature Center,  Hawaiian Humane Society, Hilton Hawaiian Village Adopt-A-Highway volunteers, Honolulu Aquarium Society, Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Honolulu Police Department,  Kalakaua Homes,  Makiki Stream Stewards, Malama O Manoa, Oahu Invasive Species Committee, St. Louis School, State of Hawaii Department of Health Clean Water Branch, University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Earth Science and Technology, Washington Middle School and Weed and Seed. 

Earth Day Events, April 22, 2006

Earth Day Handout (pdf)

Oil Change Box Campaign (pdf)

Earth Month Storm Water Runoff Campaign Radio Spot (mp3)

Earth Month Oil Change Box Campaign Radio Spot (mp3)

8:00 a.m. - Videos, Interactive exhibits at Fort DeRussy. Volunteers from the U.S. Army Engineer District, Honolulu; Alien Pest Species; Girl Scouts; Honolulu Board of Water Supply; Oahu Invasive Species Committee and state Department of Health Clean Water Branch meet at the Pacific Regional Visitor Center above the U.S. Army Museum, Battery Randolph Ewa entrance, second Floor

8:30 a.m. - Makiki Adopt-A-Stream Cleanup and Beautification Project
Workers from the City Department of Environmental Services (ENV) and volunteers from the Makiki Stream Stewards, Washington Middle School, McKinley High School, Jack-In-The-Box, Kalakaua Home, Ala Wai Watershed Association, Tesoro and more meet at the Jack in the Box restaurant at the corner of South King and Kalakaua

9 a.m. - Manoa Adopt-A-Stream Cleanup
City Department of Environmental Services and Malama O Manoa; meet at the Woodlawn Bridge
More info at www.malamaomanoa.org/Stream/stream.html

9 a.m. - Palolo Adopt-A-Stream Cleanup and Graffiti Removal
City Department of Environmental Services and Chaminade University and St. Louis School
More info at http://www.chaminade.edu/

9:30 a.m. - Fort DeRussy Beach Cleanup
U.S. Army Engineer District, Honolulu and the Hale Koa Hotel. Meet at the Fort DeRussy berm

1100 Moi (fish) stocking, Ala Wai Canal, featuring fishermen
in 1920s costumes, displays, storm water pollution prevention tips. City Department of Environmental Services, state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources, Hawaii Convention Center. Meet on the promenade near the Hawaii Convention Center.

Earth Day in Nanakuli, Saturday, April 29

8 a.m. to Noon - A cleanup and stormwater outreach campaign has been the focus of the City and Nanakuli High School.  Target pollutants are trash and used motor oil.  The Storm Water Quality Branch of the Department of Environmental Services is coordinating this project with KHON to air PSAs directed and produced by students under the direction of Robin Kitsu beginning March 13 through the third week of April.  Cooperating offices and organizations include the offices of City Councilman Todd Apo, state Rep. Mike Kahikina, Boys and Girls Club of Nanakuli and Waianae and Hope Chapel Nanakuli.

Earth Day in Ewa Beach, Saturday, May 6

8 a.m. to Noon - A cleanup and stormwater outreach campaign has also been the focus of the City and Campbell High School.  Cooperating organizations include the offices of City Councilman Todd Apo, state Rep. Kymberly Pine, U.S. Navy, Boys and Girls Club of Ewa Beach, Ewa Lions Club, Ewa Weed and Seed, Honolulu Police Department.
Read story>>

Earth Day in Kapolei, Saturday, May 13

8 a.m. to Noon - The City and Kapolei High School will coordinate an interagency cleanup and preparing a storm water message to Kapolei and Makakilo residents.

The goal of the City and County of Honolulu 's Storm Water Quality Branch public outreach program is to increase the community's involvement in watershed protection activities through awareness, education and action.

Objectives

• Increase awareness about the link between land use activities and water quality, as well as the government's role in storm water management;
• Increase awareness about our personal roles living in a watershed and the cumulative effect our day-to-day activities have on water quality;
• Encourage behaviors that will keep pollutants out of local streams and the ocean.

Two urban pollutants this program is focusing on in 2006 are trash and used motor oil.

The target audiences include construction contractors and businesses in industrial area. For trash, the audience is schools, where the goal is to develop watershed stewardship. For used motor oil, the target audience is the backyard mechanic.

Residents can find tips including storm water Best Management Practices (BMPs) and simple good housekeeping measures that start in the home. Partners include the City and County of Honolulu, state Department of Agriculture, state Department of Transportation, Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Oahu Resource Conservation and Development and the University of Hawaii Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

Download PDF >>

Virtual

Visit the Department of Environmental Services Virtual Public Counter to get forms and apply for permits. Get information on related City ordinances, technical or engineering information about NPDES, watershed studies, biological assessments, or related items.

Go to the Learning Center for free brochures and fact sheets with pollution tips for residents, business, educators and a cool photo gallery.