ATTENTION: Adopt-A-Highway Volunteers

HDOT Highways has implemented improvements to the Oahu Adopt-A-Highway Program’s procedures. We will be extending our hours for supply pickup appointments, and volunteers are to submit the Supply Request Form and Rubbish Removal Request Form digitally through Google Forms.

Starting June 27, 2022, Adopt-A-Highway supply pickup appointments can be scheduled Tuesday to Friday, between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., with the exception of State Holidays. The new pickup office is located in Mapunapuna. After you submit your order request, we will contact you to confirm your appointment and provide further directions.

Please see below for more details about our new procedures and forms.

SUPPLY REQUESTS can now be submitted via one of the two options below. Both options will still require one week to prepare your supplies and will need an appointment confirmation. 

Online AAH Supply Request Form
  • Complete and submit the online form using the button hyperlink above.
Downloadable AAH Supply Request Form (PDF)
  • The form can be downloaded from the button hyperlink above.
  • Complete the form, save or scan, and email to
    Adopt-A-Highway@stormwaterhawaii.com.
  • A digital signature is acceptable.

RUBBISH REMOVAL REQUESTS can now be submitted via one of the two options below.

Online AAH Rubbish Removal Request Form
  • Complete and submit the online form using the button hyperlink above.
Downloadable AAH Rubbish Removal Request Form (PDF)

TO NOTE:

  • We 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.
  • A minimum of one week is required to prepare your supplies.
  • Please make sure that you receive a confirmation email for your pickup appointment before you arrive at the office, or your supplies may not be ready and the office may be closed.

If you have any question, please contact:

Oahu Adopt-A-Highway Program Coordinator
Adopt-A-Highway@stormwaterhawaii.com

Keeping trash off our highways is one of the most critical ways to ensure our storm drains are free of pollutants and debris. HDOT Highways 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!

HDOT Highways can help your community group, church, school, or business with the opportunity to adopt a section of Oahu’s state roads, provide all safety materials, trash bags, and will schedule trash pick-ups for your highway location. HDOT Highways will even erect highway signs to recognize your group’s cleaning efforts!

Adopt-A-Highway groups agree to:

  • Adopt a two-mile portion of state highway for a minimum of two years.
  • Pick up litter on that highway at least four times a year.
  • Provide safety training for their volunteers before each cleanup.

As of March 5, 2021, HDOT has resumed the Adopt-A-Highway program. Adopt-A-Highway groups that would like to conduct clean-ups must comply with all State of Hawaii COVID-19 rules.

To learn more about our Adopt-A-Highway Program check out our Adopt-A-Highway Brochure, and to find out the most up-to-date information on adopting a highway segment on Oahu, contact the Adopt-A-Highway Coordinator at adopt-a-highway@stormwaterhawaii.com.

Why You Should Help

Adopt-A-Highway why you should help trash on highway

Litter destroys the natural beauty of Hawaii’s highways.

Adopt-A-Highway why you should help beach pollution

Litter directly and indirectly 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.

Adopt-A-Highway why you should help tourism

Clean highways help lead to beautiful beaches that welcome visitors and show that we care about our community and our environment.

How We Help You

Adopt-A-Highway how we help you route

Help you select a section of highway to adopt.

Adopt-A-Highway how we help you sign

HDOT will erect a highway sign to recognize your organization’s cleaning efforts.

Adopt-A-Highway how we help you safety vests

HDOT will provide high-visibility safety vests, trash bags, gloves, and additional safety information.

Adopt-A-Highway how we help you safety cleanup trash bags

HDOT will 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 Request for Rubbish Bag Removal Form within two days after the organization’s cleanup event.)

Program Details

Adopt-A-Highway program details route

The HDOT will help you select a section of highway to adopt.

Adopt-A-Highway program details agreement

Your organization’s representative must sign an agreement form on behalf of the entire group.

Adopt-A-Highway program details participant ages

All participants must be 12 years old or older. Participants under 18 years old must have adult supervision and a signed parental release form. There must be at least two adults per 10 participants present at all times for groups with participants under 18 years old.

Adopt-A-Highway program details trash bags

Groups must submit the Request for Rubbish Bag Removal Form with in two days after the organization’s cleanup event. After cleanup has been completed, organizations should leave filled trash bags along the roadside and provide a location description for pick up.

Available Adopt-A-Highway Segments

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.

Safety Tips

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 Highways 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 Highways 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!

Adopt-A-Highway safety volunteers

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 You Should Wear

  • Adopt-A-Highway t-shirts and safety vests
  • Closed toed shoes – no slippers!
  • Gloves
  • Hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses

Protect Yourself and Others:

  • Conduct a safety awareness session for volunteers before your cleanup day.
  • Whenever possible, face oncoming traffic when working. Be prepared to move out of the way for vehicles in emergency situations.
  • Refrain from working in bad weather.
  • Work during daylight only.
  • Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
  • Do not cross the roadway unless in a crosswalk.
  • Avoid using headsets, headphones or anything that could interfere with your ability to hear oncoming traffic or warnings.
Adopt-A-Highway safety what to wear

For Your Safety:

  • Knives, machetes, axes and similar objects should not be carried by crew members.
  • Please refrain from stuffing or compacting trash bags. Injuries from broken or jagged objects often result from overstuffing. We recommend filling the bags with items that fit easily and starting a new bag as needed.
  • 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.

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.

  • Adopt-A-Highway Agreement Form: 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 Highways.
  • Adopt-A-Highway Parental Release Form: 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 Highways’ rights-of-way.
  • Adopt-A-Highway Supply Request Form: 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.
  • Adopt-A-Highway Trash Removal Form: 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.
  • Adopt-A-Highway Renewal Agreement Form: To renew an Adopt-A-Highway agreement between your group and HDOT Highways, 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 delighted to announce AAH-033, Charlie Company, 715th Military Intelligence Battalion as Oahu District’s Second Quarter 2022 Adopt-A-Highway Champion.

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DOT-HWYS Oahu’s Q3 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.

Read More

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.

Read More

Past Adopt-A-Highway Champions

2022 Q2 – Charlie Company, 715th Military Intelligence Battalion
2022 Q1 – Unitek Solvent Services
2021 Q4 – Mililani Hongwanji
2021 Q3 – Mauka Kaua HI
2021 Q2 – 25th ID & USARHAW JAG Office
2021 Q1 – Moanalua Lions Club

2020 Q4 – Ewa Beach Assembly of God
2020 Q3 – Defense Information Systems Agency – Pacific (DISA PAC)
2020 Q2 – Doryan Rodriguez and Bruce D. Waisanen
2020 Q1 – Mile-A-Day (MAD) Moms of Micronesia
2019 Q4 – DTRIC Insurance
2019 Q3 – Paradise Crew, Iron Order MC
2019 Q2 – Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard & IMF 1st Class Association
2019 Q1 – Independent Order of Odd Fellows
2018 Q4 – Fleet and Family Readiness Program
2018 Q3 – Kaneohe Bay Base Fuels
2018 Q2 – Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard & IMF 1st Class Association
2018 Q1 – Tenrikyo Mission Headquarters of Hawaii
2017 Q4 – Rotary Club of Kapolei Sunset
2017 Q3 – Samahang Ilocano International
2017 Q2 – East Oahu Realty
2017 Q1 – Bravo Military Intelligence Company
2016 Q4 – Joint Inter-Agency Task Force West
2016 Q3 – Ameron HC&D Kapaa Quary
2016 Q2 – Bahai’s of Wahiawa

2016 Q1 – DTRIC Insurance
2015 Q4 – Federal Manager’s Association
2015 Q3 – 21st Dental Company
2015 Q2 – Oahu Filipino Community Council
2015 Q1 – Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge Academy
2014 Q4 – American Carpet One
2014 Q3 – Bowers and Kubota
2014 Q2 – Waianae Baptist Church
2014 Q1 – Tripler Army Medical Center Alpha Company
2013 Q4 – Aiea Community Association
2012 Q4 – Tenrikyo Mission Headquarters
2012 Q1 – Tenrikyo Joyous Mission Center
2011 Q4 – Jesus Christ Mission Church
2011 Q3 – Waianae Baptist Church
2011 Q1 – Sierra Club Hawaii
2010 Q4 – Stewart and Cecilla Wade
2010 Q3 – COMPACFLT