Keep our island trash free
Keeping trash off our highways is one of the most critical ways to ensure our storm drains are free of pollutants and debris. The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Adopt-A-Highway program is a public service program that allows participants from any organization to pick up litter along Hawaii’s state highways.
Embrace your chance to make a personal contribution towards a cleaner Hawaii!
For questions and inquiries, contact us at Adopt-A-Highway@stormwaterhawaii.com.
Why You Should Help
Protect Our Nature
Litter destroys the natural beauty of Hawaii’s highways. Make a personal contribution towards a cleaner Hawaii!
Protect Marine Life
Litter impacts Hawaii’s environment and surrounding oceans. Direct impacts include physical harm to marine life by debris through ingestion or entanglement. Indirect impacts occur when the cleanup of marine debris result in ecological changes.
Show That You Care
Clean highways help lead to beautiful beaches that welcome visitors and show that we care about our community and our environment.
How HDOT Will Help You
1. Assist with the selection of highway section to adopt.
2. Erect a highway sign to recognize your organization’s cleaning efforts.
3. Remove the filled trash bags from the roadside along with heavy or hazardous items after your organization’s cleanup is completed. Remember to submit the Trash Removal form within two days of your organization’s cleanup event.
4. Provide high-visibility safety vests, trash bags, gloves, and additional safety information.
What You Will Do As A Volunteer
2 Miles For 2 Years
Adopt a two-mile portion of state highway for a minimum of two years.
4 Cleanups A Year
Pick up litter on your portion of the highway at least 4 times per year.
Adopt A Route
- Apply for a route
- The Adopt-A-Highway coordinator will help you select a location
- HDOT will install signs with your group name
Before A Cleanup
- Request supplies at least 1 week prior to the event
- Submit a release form for minors if needed
- Make sure all participants watch our Safety Training video
After A Cleanup
- Leave the filled rubbish bags along the route and make note of the location(s)
- Fill out a Rubbish Removal Form within two days of your event
PLEASE NOTE:
- HDOT will no longer accept Supply Requests or Rubbish Removal Requests via mail or fax.
- Please do not submit requests through both the online forms and email. Sending a duplicate request may slow down processing times.
- Make sure that you receive a confirmation email for your pick up before you arrive at the office, or your supplies may not be ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Scroll through some of the frequently asked questions about the Adopt-A-Highway program! If you have any question, please contact the Oahu Adopt-A-Highway Program Coordinator at Adopt-A-Highway@stormwaterhawaii.com.
Businesses, community organizations, military groups, and any other organization is encouraged to Adopt-A-Highway.
Participants must be at least 12 years old to participate.
The Adopt-A-Highway Program is free to participate in!
Up to two groups can adopt a route.
It takes one week to prepare your supplies for pick up.
The Adopt-A-Highway Program provides safety vests to all groups. These vests are yours to keep!
Available Segments You Can Adopt
The following map shows the location and adoption status of all Adopt-A-Highway routes on Oahu. Green segments indicate available highway sections and purple segments are adopted areas. Interested in adopting an available route? Contact Adopt-A-Highway@stormwaterhawaii.com.
Adopt-A-Highway: The Safe Way
Mahalo for your organzation’s commitment to keeping Hawaii’s highways trash free!
Below are some important safety guidelines to keep in mind. HDOT will provide you with high visibility, orange safety vests, in addition to trash bags and gloves. Following the completion of the Request for Rubbish Bag Removal Form, HDOT will pick up your filled trash bags. Please remember to follow the rules of the road, check your surroundings and be sure to remain a safe distance from oncoming vehicles. Your enthusiasm and hard work are what keeps Hawaii’s highways trash free. Mahalo for demonstrating the spirit of aloha!
Volunteers must
- Be in good physical condition, including good eyesight and hearing.
- Be mentally alert.
- Be responsible for their own safety and the safety of their crew.
- Be at least 12 years old. Groups with members under 18 years old must have at least two adults present per ten volunteers.
What To Wear
- Adopt-A-Highway t-shirts and safety vests
- Closed toed shoes – no slippers!
- Gloves
- Hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses
Stay Safe
- Conduct a safety awareness session before your cleanup day.
- Face oncoming traffic when working.
- Don’t work in bad weather.
- Work during daylight only.
- Stay hydrated.
- Do not cross the roadway unless in a crosswalk.
- Avoid using headsets or anything that could interfere with your ability to hear oncoming traffic or warnings.
For Your Safety
- Knives, machetes, axes and similar objects should not be carried by crew members.
- Don’t stuff trash bags. Injuries from broken objects often result from overstuffing.
- Park all vehicles at least ten feet from the roadway’s shoulder surface.
- Keep vehicles on the same side of the highway as the volunteers.
- Work one side of the highway at a time.
- Carpool to the clean up site to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY
Program Forms
The Adopt-A-Highway program is a proactive way to prevent pollution from entering surrounding coastal waters by reducing litter along Hawaii’s highways. To participate in the Adopt-A-Highway porgram or to renew an agreement, fill out and submit the appropriate form below. Please also review the Supply Request, Trash Removal, and Parental Release forms before planning your cleanup day.
To adopt a section of state highway for cleaning, fill out this Agreement Form and send to the appropriate individual. Be sure to read the terms and conditions for both the applicant and HDOT.
This form ensures that any minor who volunteers in an Adopt-A-Highway cleaning event has participated in a roadside safety meeting. The applicant’s signature of this form also releases HDOT Highways from any liability in case of injury or damages which occur on or near HDOT rights-of-way.
To request trash bags, gloves, and safety vests needed for a cleanup event, fill out this form and send to the appropriate individual. Don’t forget to include the cleanup date as well as the number of volunteers.
To request the removal of rubbish collected during an Adopt-A-Highway cleaning event, fill out this form and send to the appropriate individual within two business days of cleanup. Be sure to include any hazardous materials, bulk items or dead animals.
To renew an Adopt-A-Highway agreement between your group and HDOT, fill out this form and send to the appropriate individual.
Adopt-A-Highway Champions
The Adopt-A-Highway Champions program highlights various volunteers and organizations who have committed to keeping their adopted highway clean.
DOT-HWYS Oahu’s Q4 2022 Adopt-A-Highway Champions
We are excited to announce the Rotary Club of Kapolei Sunset (AAH-069) as the Oahu District’s Fourth Quarter 2022 Adopt-A-Highway Champion.
DOT-HWYS Oahu’s Q3 2022 Adopt-A-Highway Champions
We are excited to announce that AAH-034, Paradise Crew, Iron Order MC, is Oahu District’s Third Quarter 2022 Adopt-A-Highway Champion.
DOT-HWYS Oahu’s Q2 2022 Adopt-A-Highway Champions
We are delighted to announce AAH-033, Charlie Company, 715th Military Intelligence Battalion as Oahu District’s Second Quarter 2022 Adopt-A-Highway Champion.
Past Adopt-A-Highway Champions
2024 Champions
Q1 – AAH-074, Waianae Baptist Church and Makaha Valley Chapel
2022 Champions
Q1 – Unitek Solvent Services
Q2 – Charlie Company, 715th Military Intelligence Battalion
Q3 – Paradise Crew, Iron Order MC
Q4 – Rotary Club of Kapolei Sunset (AAH-069)
2021 Champions
Q1 – Moanalua Lions Club
Q2 – 25th ID & USARHAW JAG Office
Q3 – Mauka Kaua HI
Q4 – Mililani Hongwanji