Kaelepulu Stormwater Quality Improvements

Working Together for a Healthier Watershed

Community input has helped shape a pathway toward cleaner water, healthier ecosystems, greater flood resilience, safe recreation, and responsible long-term investment.

One Connected Watershed

When rain falls across the Kaelepulu watershed, stormwater moves from mauka areas through neighborhoods, streets, storm drains, and channels before reaching wetlands, Kaelepulu Pond, and Kailua Bay. Because watershed systems are interconnected, an improvement in one location can help reduce impacts elsewhere. No single project can solve every water quality, trash, or flooding concern – it’s the combination of efforts working together over time that makes a difference.

Our Shared Values

This set of values shared by the City and community are the outcomes we are all working toward.

Clean Water

Protect and improve water quality

Healthy Ecosystems

Create thriving habitats

Flood Resilience

Reduce the impacts of storms

Safe Recreation

Support enjoyment of local waterways

Sustainable Investment

Ensure all communities benefit over the long term

Stormwater improvements are designed based on best management practices and community input. 

Community Input Strengthened Our Work

Community members want:

  • Less sediment, trash, and pollution in local waterways

  • Cleaner, healthier water for people and wildlife

  • Reduced impacts from storms and flooding

  • Projects that reflect local knowledge and previous studies

  • Clear project implementation information

  • Meaningful and responsible investment in Kailua

How the City Plans for the Future

The City’s Storm Water Quality Division (SWQ) takes a watershed-based approach to protecting Oʻahu’s environment, mauka to makai. This means investment decisions are guided by our shared values with the goal of delivering balanced, long-term benefits for our communities. Each potential project offers different benefits and faces different implementation needs. Some of the factors SWQ considers include:

  • Water quality and flood-resilience benefits

  • Community priorities

  • Where the project fits within the watershed

  • Land ownership, access, permits, and regulations

  • Construction, operation, and maintenance needs

  • Cost, funding, and long-term value

This helps SWQ match the right solutions to the right locations and responsibly plan improvements across Oʻahu.

What’s Next…

The City is moving forward with the design and installation of additional curb inlet screens in the Hamakua/commercial area to prevent trash and large sediment from entering Kaelepulu Pond.

 

SWQ is also refining the evaluation of eight community-selected stormwater projects and developing clearer information about:

  • The benefit each project may provide

  • What is needed to advance it

  • Potential short-, medium-, and long-term pathways

  • Site, ownership, permitting, and maintenance needs

  • Potential funding and partnership opportunities

A community update in early 2027 will share the latest available information and explain how the projects fit into a broader watershed and island-wide stormwater strategy. Details will be posted when available.

Location

Kaelepulu stormwater improvements are being assessed for locations within the Enchanted Lakes community, to improve water quality in Kaelepulu Pond and Kailua Bay.

Stay Involved

The City has been learning about issues and opportunities related to stormwater management in the Kaelepulu watershed through a series of community engagement events. Click the links below to view past presentations and community proposal submissions.

Through your work, Kaelepulu’s priorities are better defined and positioned for future planning, funding, partnership, and implementation decisions than they would be without this process. Mahalo for sharing your time, knowledge, concerns, and ideas.

Background Information

The City and County of Honolulu Department of Facilities Maintenance (DFM) Storm Water Quality (SWQ) Division mission is to empower and provide guidance on minimizing our impact on water quality in order to protect public health and the environment.  SWQ works with City departments as well as public businesses, agencies, and individuals to foster shared responsibility for protection of our wai (water).

For more information about protecting water quality on Oahu, visit: Home | Storm Water Quality (honolulu.gov)

Technical studies previously completed for the Kaelepulu watershed