LIHUE, Hawaii — Kauai County’s Planning Department has scheduled one online and a series of in-person workshops in May and June to discuss climate adaptation strategies with various communities.
The Kauai Climate Adaptation and Action Plan’s goal is to analyze areas within the county vulnerable to climate change and provide recommendations to build resiliency into policies, programs and planning, according to a news release.
Sea level rise, hurricanes, rainfall and wildfires are natural occurrences. However, recent events have been extreme in nature because of climate change.
“County services and infrastructure will be drastically impacted by climate change,” said Planning Director Kaʻāina Hull in the release. “We are engaging residents on adaptation strategies such as managed retreat transfer of development rights and nature-based solutions.”
The virtual workshop is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. on May 10 via Zoom. The planning department asks interested participants to pre-register on the Kauai CAP website.
In-person workshops will include a light dinner and will be held 5 to 7 p.m. on the following dates and locations:
- May 17, Lihue Civic Center’s Moikeha Conference Room 2 (Planning Commission Room)
- June 1, Koloa Neighborhood Center
- June 6, Waimea Neighborhood Center
- June 13, St. Catherine’s School Cafeteria
- June 15, Hanalei Elementary School
The input received at the in-person workshops will be added to previous community discussions, public surveys and technical assessments. The project consultant is Raimi + Associates with support from Dr. Chip Fletcher, interim dean of the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, and HR&A Advisors.
From May 10 to June 21, the public can rate and comment on proposed strategies via an online poll.
Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.
