Sustainability

You are here:

Home
Programs
Sustainability

Sustainability

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.

Definitions

Kauaʻi Kākou General Plan

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

Kauaʻi Kākou General Plan

Kekaha Brownsfield Study

The County has been awarded a Community‐Wide Brownfields Assessment Grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and allows for the evaluation and preparation of a Brownfields Inventory, Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), and a Clean Up and/or Reuse Plan for selected brownfield site(s). For more information, visit the project website here or contact the Sustainability Coordinator.

Kekaha Brownsfield Program

Youth Engagement

Collaborate and partner with educators to provide work-based learning opportunities for students to learn about climate solutions and the various careers within green workforce.

Youth Climate Practitioners Fall 2021

A pilot course in partnership with Hawaii Technology Academy offered in Fall 2021. Check out the summary to see the site visits and student activities during the semester.

Youth Climate Practitioners Spring 2024

The second class cohort, consisting of six students, visited over 12 sites around the island. This group successfully partnered with local restaurants to help them achieve certification through the Hawaii Green Business Program. Fun fact: of the five restaurants certified in 2024, four received support from our students!

Climate Adaptation & Action Planning

The Office of Economic Development is part of the County’s Resiliency Team which is comprised of representatives from the Kaua’i County Planning Department, Kaua’i Emergency Management Agency, the Mayor’s Office, and the University of Hawai’i Sea Grant College Program. The Resiliency Team, led by the Planning Department along with consultant Raimi + Associates, is currently developing the Kaua’i Climate Adaptation & Action Plan (CAAP) to ensure our communities continue to thrive as the climate changes.

Kaua‘i Climate Adaptation Plan

The effects of a changing climate are all around us, we must act now to prepare for it. The general plan directs agencies to prepare for the impacts of climate change.

Visit Website>

Youth Climate Summit

OED led the County’s first ever Youth Climate Change Summit to engage young people in the climate action and adaptation decision-making process.

Play Streets Kauaʻi

The goal of Play Streets Kaua`i is to connect communities through active play by improving community designs for safe, accessible, and equitable access to physical activity. Play Streets, a place-based, low-cost, intervention that involve temporarily closing streets to create safe places and free opportunities for active play. OED is part of the Play Streets team including the Hawaii State Department of Health, the Planning Department, Get Fit Kaua`i, Na Lei Wili Area Health Education Center, and different community organizations. The first pilot event was successfully implemented in partnership with E Ola Mau Na Leo O Kekaha as part of the Kekaha Family Fun Day event on July 2nd. For more information, or to host your own PlayStreets event, click on the buttom below.

Visit Website>

For more information, contact Ana Española at [email protected].