HDOT launches career education program to foster young storm water professionals

HONOLULU - The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation's (HDOT) Oʻahu District Storm Water Management Program has launched the Hawaiʻi Storm Patrol Young Professionals Program, an initiative to educate the younger generation on career pathways in storm water. Through lesson plans and engaging activities, high school students will learn about storm water management careers, technical skills and community-based, environmental problem-solving.

HDOT officially launched the Hawaiʻi Storm Patrol Young Professionals Program at the Hawaiʻi Afterschool Alliance's ʻAha Lōkahi Conference. It is a free downloadable program with lesson plans, activities and other resources available for educators. This flexible program fits both fast-paced afterschool programs and traditional, credit-based courses.

"Storm water management is essential to protecting Hawaiʻi's roads, neighborhoods and waterways," said HDOT Director Ed Sniffen. "This program gives students an early look at careers that serve their communities while helping to protect our ʻāina. By bringing these lessons into the classroom, we are helping prepare the next generation of local engineers, scientists, architects and planners."

Earlier this year, HDOT, with local high school students, completed the pilot cohort of the Hawaiʻi Storm Patrol Young Professionals Program. Participants explored storm water management through hands-on learning and saw how storm water professionals apply technical skills to real-world challenges. Students also developed projects focused on storm water issues in their own communities. The program highlighted how storm water management helps to reduce soil erosion, protect local waterways and support community resilience.

"The Hawaiʻi Technology Academy (HTA) truly appreciates the [Hawaiʻi] Storm Patrol leaders for helping our students see what it takes to solve real community challenges and giving them a chance to apply their environmental science and engineering skills! We need more organizations like Storm Patrol to help our community learn how to tackle present and future climate challenges," said HTA Career-Based Learning Coordinator Aakash Shah.

The program empowers educators to foster Hawaiʻi's future workforce, while safeguarding the island's roads, communities and natural resources.

Learn more or download the Hawaiʻi Storm Patrol Young Professionals Program at stormwaterhawaii.com/young-professionals/.

For more information about the Storm Water Management Program, visit HIDOT.hawaii.gov/stormwater or stormwaterhawaii.com.

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