What Is a Rain Garden?
A rain garden is a sunken landscape that uses plants, soil, and mulch to remove pollutants from water, and allow it to soak into the ground.
Why Should I Install a Rain Garden?
When it rains, water washes off our roofs, streets, and driveways, carrying pesticides, oil, sediment, and other pollutants straight into our storm drains and ocean. Rain gardens can capture this runoff and break up its pollutants by allowing plants to soak up the water, or making it pass through mulch and soil so that it gets naturally filtered. Rain gardens can also help you reduce flood volume on your property, and channel water where you want it, to plants and trees.
Are There Any Rain Gardens In West Maui?
Go to Wahikuli Wayside Park, where more than 70 community members and a number of partners participated in the installation of a rain garden in March 2013.
Visit the West Maui R2R Initiative website to learn more about the March 2013 Rain Garden Workshop.
In September 2014, the next rain garden to be installed in West Maui was built at Pohaku Park (S-Turns) in Kahana by the Surfrider Foundation, partners, and volunteers as part of Surfrider’s Ocean-Friendly Gardens program.
What’s In a Rain Garden?
Here are the basic components:
- Inlet – For starters, water must channel into the rain garden
- Slope – It’s essential that water can flow in and through the rain garden
- Basin – Water needs to be collected so that it has the ability to infiltrate the soil
- Berm – This prevents water from flowing over the sides
- Outlet – This is where water can overflow during heavy rains
- Compost – Mix with soil before planting to promote growth
- Native or non-invasive plants – Use to hold soil in place, reduce erosion, and act as natural filters
- Mulch – Place in areas with exposed soil to prevent weeds and protect against erosion
How to Build a Rain Garden
The O‘ahu nonprofit, Hui o Ko‘olaupoko, has developed the Hawaiʻi State Rain Garden Manual. The manual is a fantastic do-it-yourself guide that walks novices through the processes of constructing a rain garden on their own properties. To download a copy click here, or contact Hui o Ko‘olaupoko, to purchase a hard copy.