Kaua‘i is formalizing a strategy to address rising temperatures and stronger storms. On Wednesday, Kaua‘i County Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami signed the Kaua‘i Climate Adaptation and Action Plan, the island’s first comprehensive approach to sea-level rise, extreme weather, and other climate-related risks. The plan includes 79 strategies and more than 240 actions designed to integrate climate considerations into county policies, capital projects, and daily operations across departments.
County officials say the plan reflects four years of community workshops, technical input, and youth engagement, emphasizing equity and flexibility to allow adjustments as conditions and scientific understanding evolve. With the mayor’s signature, the plan moves from draft status to the implementation phase across county agencies and partner organizations.
What’s in the plan
The Kaua‘i Climate Adaptation and Action Plan outlines nearly 80 strategies and more than 240 actions covering shoreline protection, infrastructure improvements, emergency preparedness, and greenhouse gas reduction, according to the plan. It also identifies potential funding sources for climate-resilient projects and includes tools to ensure equity, prioritizing support for residents most affected by climate impacts and rising costs.
The plan is designed to be action-oriented, aiming to integrate climate considerations directly into county policies, capital improvement programs, and annual work plans rather than treating them as separate initiatives.
How the plan was developed
County officials and consultants say the Kaua‘i Climate Adaptation and Action Plan (KCAAP) was developed over four years with input from across the island, according to the Kaua‘i County Planning Department. Outreach efforts included public workshops, talk-story sessions, surveys, classroom activities, a youth summit, and guidance from a Technical Advisory Group.
Planners collaborated with Raimi + Associates and the county’s Resiliency Team to identify vulnerabilities and develop strategies suited to community needs. Draft materials and outreach summaries were shared earlier this year at open houses and engagement events, allowing residents to provide feedback before the final plan was submitted to the mayor.
What comes next for Kaua‘i
With the signing, county leaders say attention now turns to implementation. Mayor Kawakami described the document as a roadmap for protecting Kaua‘i’s communities and resources, as per Kaua‘i Now. The plan follows other resilience measures introduced this year, including a wildfire resilience ordinance that incorporates Wildland-Urban Interface standards into zoning regulations, reflecting efforts to align public safety and planning with climate risks, as local reporting has outlined.
County staff note that many of the plan’s actions will require external funding and interagency cooperation. The document outlines potential partnerships and funding sources that departments can explore to move KCAAP from planning into implementation.
Signing photos and where to read the plan
The County of Kaua‘i shared images from the signing, including a full photo album, in a Facebook post, according to the county. Residents can access the full plan, supporting materials, and outreach results on the Kaua‘i Climate Adaptation Plan website.
