Follow the Drop
Building a Safer Watershed One Home at a Time
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to recharge our aquifers and to mitigate flooding and brown water runoff flowing into nearshore marine habitats. Rain gardens, bioswales, rain barrels, and other “green stormwater infrastructure” (GSI) are effective ways of achieving this by keeping rainwater where it falls.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
We use a proprietary and locally-developed app called Follow the Drop to conduct free rainwater assessments at properties across the Ala Wai Watershed in order to identify and recommend appropriate GSI for homeowners and property managers. Our partners at 3Rwater take the rainwater assessment data to deliver homeowners a report detailing what types and size GSI to consider for different areas of their property.
The team identified over 600 potential GSI projects as well as over 100 existing runoff capture solutions.
The team has installed several Rain Barrells for Ala Wai Watershed Residents since Spring 2025.
Check out our library of maps of the Ala Wai Watershed and see where your green stormwater infrastructure can effectively recharge our aquifers and mitigate flooding and brown water runoff flowing into nearshore marine habitats.
Here are some great resources and tools to help homeowners reduce flooding and brown water runoff into our ocean. By implementing these practices, you can help protect Hawaiʻi's resources while enhancing the health and beauty of your home and community.
See our Follow the Drop team in action as they conduct free rainwater assessments around the Ala Wai Watershed!
This project is made possible through funding from the
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and
Hawaiʻi Community Foundation’s Fresh Water Initiative, and in partnership with
3Rwater,
Roth Ecological Design International LLC, and the
Honolulu City & County Department of Facility Maintenance.
