Stormwater Management: Kailua vs Urban Honolulu
How do stormwater management rules compare between Kailua, HI and Urban Honolulu, HI?
Kailua and Urban Honolulu have similar restriction levels.
Kailua, HI
Honolulu County
Kailua's beach-adjacent watersheds are protected by ROH Chapter 43, Article 11 and Chapter 14, Article 12, which restrict non-stormwater discharges to the city's separate storm sewer system.
View full Kailua rules →Urban Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
In Urban Honolulu's redevelopment zones from Kakaako to Ala Moana, ROH Chapter 43 Article 11 and Chapter 14 water quality rules require strict MS4 compliance, with illicit discharge prohibitions enforced at construction and operation stages.
View full Urban Honolulu rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Kailua | Urban Honolulu |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Authority | - | ROH Ch. 43 Art. 11 |
| Connection rule | - | Sec. 43-11.12 |
| Illicit discharge | - | Sec. 43-11.22 |
| Receiving waters | - | Ala Wai, Kewalo, harbor |
| Projects | - | Kakaako, Ala Moana towers |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Kailua FAQ
Can I wash my car in the driveway?
Occasional home car washing is tolerated, but detergent-laden runoff into the storm drain can violate the discharge rules, especially near the beach.
What about pressure-washing the house?
Rinse water should be contained on landscaping where possible, not allowed to flow into the storm drain carrying paint or chemicals.
Urban Honolulu FAQ
Do Urban Honolulu tower projects need post-construction stormwater controls?
Yes. City water quality rules require permanent treatment such as bioretention, cisterns, or media filters for qualifying new and redevelopment projects, on top of construction-phase BMPs.
Can my condo discharge cooling-tower blowdown to the storm drain?
No. Sec. 43-11.22 prohibits non-stormwater discharges including cooling tower blowdown, which must be routed to sanitary sewer under a permit rather than the MS4.
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