Rainwater to the rescue
Oct 27, 2025
Rain barrels are helping O‘ahu residents protect reefs and reduce flooding
Hundreds of households across O‘ahu are now capturing rainwater thanks to a new Pilot Rainwater Incentive Program spearheaded by Mālama Maunalua, in partnership with the City and County of Honolulu.
Ulupono Initiative and several organizations supported launching the program, which is helping to reduce flooding, limit polluted runoff reaching Hawai‘i’s reefs, and recharge groundwater to strengthen local water resilience.
Benefits of this program:
- Reducing stormwater runoff that can carry pollutants into streams and reefs.
- Recharging groundwater to support healthy aquifers and future water supply.
- Lowering demand for potable water by providing an alternative source for irrigation.
- Empowering residents to take part in local water conservation efforts.
- Promoting green infrastructure that benefits both communities and ecosystems.
“We are pleased to partner with Mālama Maunalua and the City and County of Honolulu in this pilot,” said Jeremy Kimura, Ulupono’s director, fresh water sector. “The overwhelming amount of applicants shows the people of O‘ahu want to be better water stewards. By capturing and storing runoff from our roofs, we can offset the use of fresh water for irrigation and prevent polluted runoff from reaching our beaches. We look forward to working with partners to increase green stormwater infrastructure to improve the wellbeing of our aquifers because when water thrives, we thrive.”
Photo Courtesy: Mālama Maunalua