The Sustainability Coordinator and Agricultural Specialists partner with the Kauaʻi Economic Development Board to host annual Earth Month Celebrations as a tribute to sustainability, agriculture, and the people who care for our island home.

The goal of Play Streets Kaua‘i is to bring communities together through fun, active play in safe and welcoming spaces. Play Streets are simple, low-cost events where streets or underused areas are temporarily closed off to create safe, free places for kids and families to play, move, and connect. OED is proud to be part of the Play Streets team, alongside the Hawai‘i State Department of Health, Planning Department, Get Fit Kaua‘i, Nā Lei Wili Area Health Education Center, and various community organizations working together to support healthier, more connected communities.

Resilience Hubs are trusted community spaces that help residents prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. The Office of Economic Development (OED) is exploring the creation of a network of hubs across the island to strengthen each community’s ability to support itself—ultimately improving Kaua‘i’s overall resilience. Nonprofits, community groups, and individuals interested in learning more or getting involved are encouraged to reach out.

The County’s Wastewater Division received technical assistance through the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap Initiative, which provides no-cost support to communities with failing septic systems or limited wastewater infrastructure. This effort will produce an islandwide assessment of cesspools on Kauaʻi to identify areas that could: (1) Connect to the County sewer system, (2) Connect to an existing or new private or decentralized (cluster) treatment system, and (3) Upgrade to an approved Individual Wastewater System (IWS). The study will result in a draft Countywide Cesspool Conversion Plan with high-level cost estimates. This work represents Phase 1 of cesspool conversion planning. Future phases will address policy and funding needs and help prioritize neighborhood-level projects across the island. OED Staff is assisting with community engagement for this effort.