Stormwater Management: Kaneohe vs Urban Honolulu
How do stormwater management rules compare between Kaneohe, HI and Urban Honolulu, HI?
Kaneohe and Urban Honolulu have similar restriction levels.
Kaneohe, HI
Honolulu County
Kaneohe's watershed flows directly to Kaneohe Bay, and ROH Chapter 43 Article 11 tightly restricts non-stormwater discharges to the city's storm sewer system.
View full Kaneohe 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 | Kaneohe | 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.
Kaneohe FAQ
Can I drain my pool into the street?
No. Chlorinated pool water is a prohibited non-stormwater discharge and must be dechlorinated and managed per DPP guidance.
Is fertilizer runoff regulated?
Yes, fertilizer and pesticide runoff to the storm drain can be cited, especially given Kaneohe Bay's nutrient-sensitive coral.
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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