Sustainability

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Contact info

Ana Española

Sustainability Coordinator

aespanola@kauai.gov

Sustainability

“Sustainability means growing responsibly to meet the needs of current and future generations without depleting important resources.”

– Kauaʻi Kākou General Plan

Objectives

The County’s General Plan is governed by the overarching theme of Kauaʻi Kākou: We’re moving forward together to collectively plan for a more sustainable Kauaʻi, in the spirit of malama ‘āina (stewardship of the land). The General Plan is the first plan to adopt sustainability as an overarching goal by, “growing responsibly to meet the needs of current and future generations without depleting resources.” With this guiding vision, the objectives of the County’s Sustainability Program are: 1) to have county government lead by example by developing, adopting, and implementing sustainable practices and policies, and 2) to support and leverage community efforts that promote island sustainability. 

Projects
Kekaha Road Brownsfields Study
The County of Kaua‘i was awarded a $300,000 Community‐Wide Brownfields Assessment Grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). This program aims to assess and evaluate potentially contaminated properties- or “brownfields” – along the Kekaha Road corridor as a means to improve the quality of life for Kekaha residents.
Learn More
Youth Climate Class
A work-based class for all high-school students, designed to inspire and empower young leaders to become champions of sustainability. Students will have the opportunity to learn about State and County sustainability goals, visit organizations around the island working towards those goals while being exposed to various career pathways. Students will work with local restaurants and assist them through Hawaii’s Green Business Certification Program. Click on the StoryMaps below to view each cohort’s journey.
StoryMaps
Ho‘olaule‘a No Ka Honua
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.
Check out Earth Day Celebrations
Play Streets Kauaʻi
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.
Host your own PlayStreets Event
Resilience Hubs
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.
Countywide Cesspool Conversion Plan
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:
• Connect to the County sewer system
• Connect to an existing or new private or decentralized (cluster) treatment system
• 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.

programs by oed

Agriculture
Business
Destination Management
Energy & Transporation
Kauai Film
Kauai Made
Sustainability
Workforce