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Highlights From the Smart Rain + HUI Webinar Commercial properties across Hawaii are facing a perfect storm: rising water costs, ongoing drought conditions, and increasing pressure to maintain healthy landscapes while reducing waste. That’s why Smart Rain recently partnered with Purchasing HUI of Hawaii, Inc. to host an exclusive webinar for HUI members—focused on proven, data‑backed strategies to lower water bills, reduce risk, and modernize irrigation operations.
The session featured Smart Rain experts Scott Criddle and Thomas McKenna, along with One Waterfront Tower General Manager Joseph Aguon, who shared real operational savings and lessons from running Smart Rain’s system daily. The results were eye‑opening—even for experienced property operators.
Below is a recap of the key insights and why Smart Rain is becoming one of Hawaii’s most effective tools for long‑term water and landscape management.
Why Smart Rain and HUI Came Together
HUI exists to help Hawaii associations reduce operating costs through group purchasing and vetted vendor partners. With water scarcity increasing and properties under new pressure to comply with watering restrictions, HUI sought out a solution that would:
Reduce potable water use
Lower irrigation‑related operating costs
Improve landscape health
Support on‑site teams without increasing workload
Create measurable, repeatable savings for members
Smart Rain’s track record in drought‑prone regions — paired with its fully managed, weather‑based automation — made it a ideal partner.
Hawaii’s Water Challenge: Growing Scarcity, Rising Pressure
During the webinar, Smart Rain highlighted several realities Hawaii property managers already feel every day:
65% of Hawaii was under Stage 2 drought last year
68% of the state experienced drought conditions in 2025
Watering day restrictions and compliance measures are increasing
Potable water used for irrigation continues to rise in cost
Historically, Hawaii believed water was naturally abundant. But as noted during the presentation, the last several decades brought a dramatic shift—from “water is plentiful” thinking in the 1950s to strict conservation measures today.
A modern irrigation approach is no longer optional. It’s essential.
How Smart Rain Works: Automation That Eliminates Guesswork
Smart Rain replaces outdated “set‑and‑forget” controllers with weather‑based automation that adjusts irrigation in real time. The system analyzes:
Hourly weather data
Latitude and longitude for hyper‑local accuracy
Rainfall
ET (evapotranspiration)
Wind
Humidity
Soil conditions
Seasonal changes
Instead of watering every day regardless of need, Smart Rain waters only when the landscape actually requires moisture.
This is especially critical in Hawaii, where conditions can shift dramatically throughout the year and even across different sides of the same island.
Real‑World Results: One Waterfront Tower’s 18.9 Million Gallons Saved
The highlight of the webinar came from One Waterfront Tower, one of Honolulu’s premier oceanfront properties. Their GM, Joseph Aguon, shared real‑world data—not estimates, not assumptions—based entirely on utility bills.
Before Smart Rain
The property’s 19 irrigation zones ran 30 minutes daily, regardless of:
Temperature
Rainfall
Cloud cover
Seasonal changes
This resulted in an average irrigation demand of 190,000 gallons per week.
After Smart Rain
Once their Smart Rain controller went live:
Weekly irrigation dropped to 40,000–80,000 gallons
Multiple weeks required 0 gallons—with no manual shutoff
Landscape quality remained high and consistent
Operational burden decreased
Leaks and faulty valves became easier to detect
Over the full operating period since installation:
The impact was enormous:
18.9 million gallons avoided
$100,000+ in verified water cost avoidance
Approximately 70% reduction in irrigation usage
ROI achieved in just two months
These results weren’t hypothetical—they were verified from real Board of Water Supply bills.
Why Hawaii Properties Are Turning to Smart Rain
From condos and HOAs to commercial sites, Smart Rain solves several key challenges:
Significant water savings
On average, Smart Rain users save 30–50% on outdoor water use due to smarter scheduling and weather‑based automation.
Reduced labor and maintenance
Smart Rain cuts irrigation‑related labor by up to 25% through:
Centralized mobile controls
Remote zone testing
Automated alerts for leaks, failures, and over‑current issues
Reduced manual system checks
Teams spend less time troubleshooting and more time on high‑value tasks.
Healthier, more resilient landscapes
By preventing overwatering and encouraging deep‑root growth, landscapes remain greener, healthier, and less prone to disease and stress.
Better operational control
Smart Rain provides:
Customizable dashboards
Flow monitoring
Interactive zone mapping
Real‑time alerts
Automated seasonal adjustment
This brings clarity and confidence to irrigation management—especially important for boards, managers, and maintenance teams overseeing multi‑building properties.
A solution proven in high‑drought environments
Smart Rain was built in Utah, one of the driest states in the U.S. Its system was designed specifically for:
Extreme drought
High water cost volatility
Soil variability
Commercial property needs
Hawaii’s climate challenges align perfectly with Smart Rain’s strengths.
Why This Webinar Matters for Hawaii’s Future
Smart Rain’s message is clear: You don’t have to choose between saving water and protecting your landscape. You can do both—automatically.
With drought conditions expected to persist, water rates rising, and compliance pressures growing, Hawaii properties are actively seeking:
More control
More savings
More predictable operations
Less wasted time and water
Smart Rain + Purchasing HUI is a partnership designed to deliver exactly that.
Watch the Full Webinar
You can view the complete recording below to hear directly from Smart Rain experts and One Waterfront Tower’s GM:
Ready to Lower Your Water Bills?
Smart Rain offers:
Free ROI analysis and estimate
Exclusive pricing for HUI members
Verified savings calculations
HOA and high‑rise experience
Hawaii‑specific support and training
If your property wants lower water bills, healthier landscapes, and fewer maintenance headaches, Smart Rain is ready to help.
Contact Smart Rain today to schedule your free water savings assessment.
Stop wasting money and learn how to automatically save on your water billswhile having a lush landscape.
