Hawaii State Parks Water Bottle Filling Station Project

In an effort to decrease single-use beverage bottle consumption, Hawaii State Parks installed water bottle filling stations across parks on four islands. The project also included outreach and volunteer opportunities, preventing water bottles from potentially becoming marine debris.

Type of Project: Prevention

Region: Pacific Islands 

Project Dates: August 2018 - July 2021

Who was involved?

With support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks installed water bottle filling stations across Hawai‘i state parks in order to reduce a common marine debris problem.

What was the project and why is it important?

Over 11 million people visit the Hawai‘i State Park System annually. The environments of Hawai‘i are unique, diverse, and fragile, and those who live and visit the islands contribute to land-based sources of marine debris. In order to reduce the amount of single-use plastics becoming marine debris in the park, the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks installed water filling stations that provided park visitors the opportunity and choice to refill their water bottles. 

What were the results?

The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks installed 16 water bottle filling stations across 12 state facilities, parks and Recreation Areas on O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i, and Hawai‘i Island. Park staff developed interpretive signage and outreach materials that were used to teach both residents and visitors about the harm that single-use plastic bottles pose if they enter the marine environment. Project staff developed a video to communicate the impacts of marine debris in Hawaiian waters while considering ʻōlelo noʻeau (Hawaiian proverbs) as a kāhea (call-to-action) to protect the ocean resources we all use and enjoy in Hawaiʻi. Park staff also engaged 1,303 individuals through various outreach events and conducted 26 beach cleanups resulting in 1,410 items removed.

For more information about this project, visit the Marine Debris Program Clearinghouse.