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. 

Location

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

Community Proposals

The City is assessing community proposals to improve water quality.

Community proposals represent the analysis conducted by those submitting the proposals and have not been vetted by the City or consultant team.

Voting Results

The top-ranked projects from the Kaelepulu Stormwater community proposals voting process will move forward to full evaluation:

  1. Kaopa Basin Berm 

  2. Keolu Channel Outfall Trash Rack

  3. Keolu Drive Curb Inlet Screens 

  4. Dredge Kaelepulu Pond 

  5. Dredge Hele Channel

  6. Akiahala Ditch Trash Rack 

  7. Akumu Street Hydrodynamic Separator 

  8. Akipola Channel Outfall Trash Rack 

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.

February 1, 2024 Kailua Neighborhood Board Meeting

April 8, 2025 Stormwater Town Hall presentation

October 2025 Kaelepulu Stormwater Community Proposals

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