HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0493.133 2000-2002 Josephine l.. Keliipio
P.O. Box 368
Kealakekua, Hi 96750
(808)326-7998
Hawai°I County Committee on Planning 10-01-02
Attn: IMs. Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd g Chairperson
Hilo, Hawaii 996720
.
R~: general ~I~n ll~~at~ ~y
.n„~
®ear Ms. Leithead-Todd, X44 P`~ -
Mahalo for holding community meetings around the island to obtain input from as many
people as possible for our General Plan, a plan whose policies will affect our island home for
the next 10 years.
So far, this is the 4th community meeting that I have attended to comment on a variety of
issues because I am greatly concerned with how this General Pian will affect and change the
character of our unique island communities like North Kona where I come from.
The following are more of my concerns regarding this General Plan update
1) even though the Planning Director, and other county officials, has continually emphasized
that we have had numerous public meetings and workshops over the last 2 ~/z years, those
"workshops" were not true workshops. No planner sat down with us to educate us in any
planning methods or techniques. All the planners did was tell us what changes they made to
the maps, then they took notes on what we wanted, and then they applied what they
received as they saw fit to the General Plan update. There were many assumptions made by
the planners without input from the public. One of these assumptions was that North Kona
will serve as the only urban center for V10est Hawaii with tons of cars commuting from other
regions creating more noise, traffic, pollution and hazards and basically destroying the quality
of life for those of us who live in North Kona. Another assumption made was that the island
will continue to be heavily auto-dependent despite the obvious existing auto-dependent
problems in Honolulu and other mainland communities that we should be learning by. I
cannot see how we can go forward to finalize such a plan when the public was not given a
chance to "start from a clean page" without county-influenced assumptions.
2) As I have stated before, the General Plan update lacks a vision for the island. It is not
adequate to say that the General Plan identifies the "`visions of the people" when in fact, we
were not given the opportunity to actively discuss what our vision should be. I have included
copies of Kaua`I County's Vision for their island, which is very comprehensive and takes up an
entire chapter of their General Plan. A vision provides a picture of h®w we want this islan
Coxiam. N®<
File No.
Ref. o:
.Ref.
and its communties to be like in 10 years. The past General Plan lacked a vision. We cannot
afford to go without a vision for the next 10 years.
3) I was appalled to see just 6 pages devoted to the Chapter on ~nvironmenil ~~a1
when the health of our environment affects everything that we do. This chapter does not
address N®ISE from trafFic. As a member of the Kona Traffic Safety Committee, we receive a
lot of complaints about noise from automobiles, yet nothing is mentioned here about noise
pollution from automobiles. Also, nothing is mentioned about run-off from roads, as this is
also related to environmental quality.
In the Chapter of Nat~~a! has®urc and Sh®~iin~, there again needs to be strong
policies about preventing run--off from roadways. 10 more years of run-off from roads can do
a lot of damage to our coastal resources.
5) In the Chapter on P~blii~ Fa~il~i~~: IHeaith and ~an~ati~n, there is no mention about
curbing or restraining the source of our waste as a waste management goal or policy.
Retailers and other businesses need to be held accountable for the waste that they create by
way of heavy packaging, etc. Subd'ovisions who generate tons of green waste due to their
highly manicured landscapes need to provide ways to manage their own green waste
internally rather than over-burdening the green waste program.
6) In your fi~°an~~~ "~n chapter you assume 10 more years of autodependency.
Nothing is addressed about using heavy rail, which would cut down on road building, lessen
the amount of trucks and cars on the road and protect our environment. In your standards
about arterials and coBlectors, you need to address that of providing adequate land to serve
as noise buffers. Primary arterials should be placed 1 mile or more away from the coastline
so runoff does not affect our ocean environment.
There are so many more things that have not been addressed in this update. Preserving our
conservation and agricultural lands is not enough when so much more is at stake. Regional
plans won't address what should be addressed in a General Plan. Please consider a
rator' m on issuing more building permits until we have a General Plan with a true vision
~o th ple.
Si rel ,
p I ICelii io
This Chapter presents ilea text of gbe Visioaz for I~aua`i 2020, as well as the statement of
Community Values. Sectiom 2.1 presents the values statement, ~.~rl~ich pa°ovides the
pldlosop?~ical foundatioa~ for flee Vision,. Section 2,2 presents the Visioaa itself, slescribiaag the
intended outcome of the General Plan.
2.1 ~~AlJ N 17'Y °d~~. U ES
The Coansna~nity Valaaes were forvaaaclated by the Citizens A,dviso~v Copan-ittee, sasitag ira~aat
frorsa 25 outreach aneetings with a variety of corraanunity, business ~aaaci ~aabzic interest groaaps.
The statestaaent was revised based on paebldc revdesv and tdae initial roaand of P1ara~aing I~dstrict
aneetings in June 1998.
¦ Protectio~z; ~aanageanent, d enjoyment of our open spaces, ~~niq~~~ natural
beauty, rural lifestyle, outdoor recreation and parks.
¦ Conservation of fishing grounds seed other natural resources, so fleet
individuals a~ad fatnilies can suppo~~t thetYeselves though traditional gathering
and agricultural activities.
¦ Access to and along shorelines, waterways and mountains for all. flo~uever,
access sh~ld be cantrolled where necessary to coa~.serve nat;~ral reso~es a
to maintain flee quality of public sites for fishing, bunting, recreation and
wilderness- activities valued by 8.he 1€acal community.
¦ Recognition that our environment IS our econ®~,y, our natural capital, the
basis of our economic survival and success.
¦ Balanced management of our built environment, clustering new development
around existing communities and maintaining the foaar-story height limit.
¦ Diverse job and business opportunities so that people of all skill levels and
capabilities can support themselves and their farnilics.
¦ Governanent that supports and encourages business.
¦ Balanced economic growth development promoting providing good jobs and a
strong economy, vrithout sacrificing our environment and or our quality of life.
¦ Respect and protection for the values and rights of our many cultures, in
coanpliance with our laws and responsibilities as citizens.
¦ Preservation of our cultural, historical, seared and archeological sites.
¦ Appreciation and support for the traditions of flee Native 1-iawaiian host culture
and the anany ot4aer cultural traditions and values tl€at snake up tl~~ l~aua`i
community.
VisB~es ~®9 K~l4e'~°t ~ 2-1
¦ t~ppreciation and support for the visitor industry 's role in preserving and
honoring all cultures and their values as Kaua`i's leading source of income and
as a supporter of community festivals, recreation, arts and culture.
¦ Protection of I~aua`i's unique character.
¦ recognition of the uniqueness of our coYxununities, supporting pcople with
roots and history in those coYnmunities to continue to live and raise their
families there.
• Safety for all citizens and visitors.
¦ Support for our youth, educating theta to succeed,
¦ goad participation in the public process.
2.2 VtS~~ F~ 11~`I 2®~®
Tae Vision d~scrilres conditions on [Caasa`i in the year 202f3 ~n€i is ~riYten fro€a~ the
standpoint of that point in ti8ate. It re,
fdects not only the Conaan~enity Vad:ies drat also the is~t~es
and opp~rrtaanities f®resee~a by cor~raa~a$ty r~a~rea~ers. ~'8a~ Visi®n e.~presscs what ~aaa~r`i ~~aoa~al
strive for. i~t hh~, ~c~~atexi of readi~Yic conditions as try -are t~~aderstood in 19~. ~ Vision is
presented first in stenasaaary, tdaen in o longer narrative.
e~w-isio~ in X24 ~atbi ~ .
a "garden island" of unsurpassed natural beauty;
a taro! environment of towns separated by broad open spaces;
a vital modern society fot~ed by the people sand traditions of many cultures;
an island of distinctly individual towns and conaarsunities, each with its oev-n unique
history and character;
a cotnxnunity which values its historic places and where people practice and draw
strength frown ancient languages seed cultural traditions;
a rural place whose population size and economy have bin shaped to sustain
~aua`i's Natural beauty, rural environment and lifestyle;
a cogntnity which cares for its land and waters, leatliatg the way with best
tnataagetnent practices in the development of roads and other public facilities and in
its land development and environmental regulations;
an agricultural center, producing a wide range of crops, food, and forest products for
local consumption and export;
a resort destination where visitors welcoffied, supported with adequate faetlzttes,
and provided with a variety of cull and recreational opg€~i~ess
2-2 ¦ ICaaa~"i G~sta°~! Pin
a resort destination whose government and industry leaders respect the island's
residents and their need to have a community life wlaerc visitors are not always
present and who find effective ways to protect residents' custoanary use of special.
places far religious and cultural obse~ances, fishing: gathering, hunting and
recreation; nn~
an island whose government supports the labor force and small business owners,
firmly holding to essential policies and regulations while elifninating unnecessary red
tape.
.Zoor9a~ng in for snore dePail, we envision that in 2024 Kaaa,~a `i ~vad1 have these ch~racgerisrics
eared qusalities:
Cuffing #'®r Lnt~ ~~~e~ and Cnl~r~
~lae people of Kaua `i, along with the State and County governments, practice carefaal
stewardship of the island's land and waters. 'I`lea high Ynountains, forested watershed areas,
the ocean and coral reefs, beaches these areas are managed a~ T~ of t~ public lards Wit,
Over S~ gercent of Kaua`i's laud area lies in flee d~adeveloped highlan€ls of central Kauai and
the s~p cliffs and valleys of the ~ phi Coast. ~Ia~gor landmarks include tl peaks of
~6'ai`ale`ale and I~awailcini; ~'airnea. Canyon, and. the ~lal~a`i Swamp. Nurtut'ed by capful
conservation prsactices, tlxese lands support recoveriatg populations of native forest birds and
other native plant and animal species.
Over ~Q percent of the land rean~i.ns in agricultural use, interspersed with agricultural
communities. Only fou€~ to eve percent of Kaua'i's land area is drlopcd with urban uses
almost all of it on the coastal plains ringing the island.
Kaua`i's grs~dwaterss rivers and streams are managed to -supply water for human
consumption and agricultural irrigation, while maintaining surface flows needed to support
native uatic life, taro cultivation grad other riparian uses, and recreation.
Kaua`i's coastal areas are safeguarded to preserve beaches, natural landmarks, Hawaiian
fishponds an€€~ other Native 1Flawaiian sites. C€rral reefs, surfing sites and fishing grounds are
also protected. 'The beaches and shoreline area belong eo the public trust, anal ttae County
assures that access frorn public roads to the shoreline is maintained and unproved.
Kaua`i's laud and waters are imbued with history and legends fundamental to Native
~[awaiiar, culture. A-.ncient place-naznes convey meaning. i,aredmks such as 1-I~`upu and
~ `u Konaenae frame ~c landscag~ and guide our travels around the island arad on the ocean,
The County is vigilant in protecting flee visual integrity of in~porta~at land features. ~lae
Kauai comunity ar~d the County government respect and prefect the special rights in land
and waters that are rooted in the Native Hawaiian culture.
1?rior to Western contact, 1-Iawaiians managed the environment axa_d organised their society
through a land division system whose basic element was the "alaupua`a," =1`lae ahupua`a is rsn
area of land usually extending . the mountains to the sea, including not only the highest
inland -areas but also the &h~relinc, fishponds, reefs, and deep fishing areas. like the
modem concept of "watershed,,, the ahupua`a system recognises tl€c integral connection
aanong land-based, streaan-based, anal ocean-based resources and acctiv-ities.
Vision fast K~aa2~'i 2-3
In 2020, management of development, agriculture and other activities on Kauai is based on
the related principles of abupua`a and watershed. Land is developed and used in ways that
conserve natural streaans and streart?flows; conserve habitat for native species of plants and
a~aianals, both on land d in the ocean; and preserve sandy beaches and coral refs. lest
managen€ent pctices 9;~sed by goy=em~:nt age~ies, agricultural. companies, ~r
bt~ciness~s, ate. ir~dividF~als. are effective ~ avoiding incomes €n: flcxadvraters d€~v~~€s~eam;
preventing beach loss; and minimizing pollution of ocean waters. All of Kaua `i's ureters are
"fishable" and "sw~nable."
The Kauai cornrnunity values its cultural and historic places and traditions. 1Vlany Kauai
residents observe the cerear~onies and practices of their ancestral cultures. Special cam is
given to preserving and restoring the language, practices, artifacts and sites intporta~t to the
Native 1-€awaiian culture. Irt building public facilities and in planning d regulating land use
and development, the County of Kaa~a`i assesses project sites' archaegicgic~sl and historic
resources and acts to conserve those resources and to preserve significant sites and artifacts.
leriuseua~ns and botanical gardens care for valuable sites, objects and plants and provide unique
educational opportunities. 'll
hey focus on providia~g prograrc~s for Kauai residts aa~d
schoolchildren, 'They also attract tourists, educating them. about Kauai, itecoguized as
important assets for the conunity and the visitor indust~r, museums are well-funded and
staffed to provide valuable programs.
Native 1-lauraiian organizations manage and care for cultural sites such as heiaus. I
hey have
developed call centers new impo~aut sites, where +~ance, language, and arts are practiced
and taught. i'eopl~; trained in Hawaiian culture interpret the history and meaning of the sites
as a paid service to visitors. T~ centers also market native crafts and Wither products.
Through pla~aning and land use regulations, the County of Kauai ca~full~= safegua~ its
heritage of ec€~logically- and culturally-itnporiant lands, waters and sites. Throz~gl~ lslanng,
the County identifies important sources and sets forth polacies for responsible conservation
and appropri. develop~xtcnt honing and other land use regulations are based on cle~rly-
defned policy and design objectives. The County avoids rigid land use formulas in favor of
flexibility in Thieving desired ends.
For our most heavily used parks, rivers, and other natural sites, we have a practice of giving
the land and waters one day's rest each week. 'The rest-day reduces wear on these special
places and allows caretakers time to carry out special tasks. Similarly, $~=e observe one day of
ga~iet each week, ®n the day o€ quiet, loud machines may not be a~scd, mad noise is kept to a
minimum.
A diverse ~®y
Kaua`i's economy is strong, stable and diversified. While the visitor industry still provides
the largest number of jobs (30-35 percent of total jobs), new businesses in diversified
agriculture, aquaculture and high technology provide an increasing proportion of total jobs.
Job opportunities are many and varied, ;~=ith wages that allow= people to comfortably ~~.~rt
their f~€nilies. IJner~aploynaent is at ~'£n al.l~tirne lour of 3-5 percent, f~au`i has a foa~r-year
college; witYA agricultural, business, aa~d high-technology programs to support our youth in
finding we11-paying, rewarding careers on Kauai.
2-4 ¦ ica~aa'i G~saecal i~la~
Key factors in Kaua`i's economic success include:
• preservation of Kaua`i's special environment and culture.
• ~xpandang local a~naxl~ets far local products and reducing iri~ports, resulting iic
amore money remaining in the local ecanoany.
• 11~dore jobs with higher wages, reflecting a variety of profitable businesses
seeking qualified employees.
• A strong education system which prepares Kaua`i's children, teens, college
students and adults to work in the diversified economy.
Carrying on community traditions, some Kauai residents provide a substantial pogtion of
their own food and subsistence through hunting, fishing, gatheria~g acrd cultivating. 'T`hese
activities support the traditions of fancily and community working together, sh~riaag the
bounty of land and ocean.
Agr#~ul~rr~ a AaT~~arulture
Agricultural etaterpri~ helps to keep Kauai green and econamically healthy threugh a
variety of crops sold locally d exported. Aquaculture is also a strong and meowing industry
contribacting to local markets and experts. Agriculture and aquaculture businesses employ
five to seven percent of our workforce, up from three percent two decades age.
Kauai is exporting coffer, seed. crops, papaya and exotic fruits, and seafood, as well as
refined sugar and otheg value-added food products. Tn addition, sm:~il f~ers w a variety
of ~?acique crops such as kava, hemp, herbs, rautraceuticals, exotic flowers, and pcrfume
ingredits. ~ taro industry is dae largest in the state and a a~~j€?a° ~~€ppliar to C`aht~ and to
tlar mainland markets.. Many taro products aa~ preduced trtc Kau~`i, incla€aling ch€.ps ~n€~ poi.
Kauai residents support the farmers by buying locally-grown fruits, vegetables, tare and
other basic foods. Thy market for organically-grown crops is increasing. Tn place of iarzported
meat, Kauai residents enjay grass-frd bref frean rattly raised in Kaua`i's pastrel~ads and
prepared in local processing facilities. Kauai new produces 50 percent of its own food,
reducing food ianports and keeping more money within the conlarauraity.
Small fanners on Kauai are thriving and profitable. They are known for their high-quality
products, including rxotic fruits not available elsewhere. They are supported by high local
den~a~cd and rxparts to Asia ~iacd thr 1Viainland.~any fararcers work. directly with restaurants
and the visitor industry. local agricultural products a€c an impasrtant attraction: for visitors.
`T`he visitor industry showcases Kauai agricultural and aquacultural products, and
collaborates in the 1?romatiora of exports.
Small fanners work together in co-ops, collaborating to control costs and effectively anarket
their products. 13y developing strong local demand, they aninin~ize their vulnerability to
transportation probleans and fluctuation in overseas markets.
Ka`i's aquaculture businesses p€~aduce shrimp, frog legs, bout, and fish for local
consuarcption and export to Asia and the mainland. located aacostly on tlcr Z'6'est Side,
aquaculture farans continua; to be a growing industry. State and county government support
Vis3a•e for lK~a~'i . 2-5
_
aquaculture with leases of government lands, a supportive and proactive peranitting process,
and education and training. Prime aquacultural land is identified and preserved.
The college, as ;avell as other organizations, help farmers to acquire business shills essential
for success. Then;: aa°e specialized programs for tropical agricultu~ and aquaculture. many of
l~aua`i's youth are findiieg careers in these fields.
Kaua`i's larger corporate agriculture and aquaculture businesses are volume exporters for
niche i~rkets. Lrtcally-managed, they work in cooperation with sixiall indtz~lcnt
producers. 'Their financial strength, provides for new crop research and extensive marketing,
resulting in increased deinaiid for unique I~aua`i products. Their alsility to weatltcr varg+ing
market conditions lends stability to the I~aua`i economy.
'The forest products industry is growing hardwoods in a nuxriber of locatiois throughout the
island. I~aua`i sawmills cut the rough timber to provide local building materials, as well as to
provide fine uaoods Tor local craftspeople making and exporting wood bowls, musical
instruments, furniture and other products.
State and county government support diversified agriculture by offering tax incentives;
maintaining the agricultural irrigation and road infrastructure oii State-owned lands;
providing Stag: lands for agncultural use at affordable lease rents; and ~duciitg land. use
requirements for private entities giving long-term is for agricultural use. They promote
cooperatives and partnerships for central processing; provide facilities for disinfestatioi~ end
shipping; d offer teehriical and marketing support. Airport facilities Dave bin iynproved to
facilitate the direct shipment of l~aua`i agricultural products to the saiialad. State and
county government maintain rights to irrigation water and overss~ shared usage and
maintenance of irrigation systems. `T`hey also walk their talk. by buying local products,
while 5-10 percent of residences continue to be-built in agricultural areas, there i:~ ~~ll an
ample amount of prune agricultural land for existing use and future cultivation. `T`hrough a
government-private landowner partnership, an inventory of siriall agricultural lots, avith
irrigation water, is maintained for lease to individual farmers and small cooperatives. This
public-private partnership is supported by innovative tax incentives and zoning regulations.
Land, facilities and systems of the former sugar plantations are used prirriarily for farriaing,
fores~y, and aquaculture. Viable irrigation systems are rraaintained and enhanced. `they are
managed by joint governnient/private boards and supply Kaua`i's diversified agriculture
in~€istry islaixd-Aide. lanouglt water is available to return some to stream. systems for kuleana,
ahupua`a and creational use.
ugh `>~~hraolo
I~aua`i's high quality of life attracts knowledge-based businesses working in high technology
enterprises. These businesses are Linked with the college and the high. schools, providing
internship and training opportunities for l~aua`i students. After attending college, students are
able to find well-paying high-technology jobs on l~aua`i. All parts of the island are served
with fiber optic cable, allowing liigla-sped communications.
2-6 . ICaua'i Gesaeral Platt
Many residents have been trained in technological. skills. A large number of them have their
oven businesses. Many work. from their homes and service aworld-wide market through
global computer corffununications systems.
Nevv high-technology businesses include a computer aniFraation facility for tl~e movie
industry, arcd a solar energy research and development facility, and a bio-engineering
company. Kauai has also become a center for electronic marleting, and several lax'ge
national companies operate marketing centers here. electronic marketing allows people to
work from th~:ir homes, taping advantage of Kaua`i's excellent. cornznunicafionM ~~=stem,
1•€igh-technology businesses employ about three percent of our workforce, a slight increase
from two percent 20 years ago.
'i
he Pacific Missile Range facility is a major testing and evaluation facility, supportig~g
civilian as well as Military projects. As one of the most import 'P and ~ centers ire the
Pacific, it attracts high-technology businesses to locate on Kauai. PMRP remagns a federal
installation, ~~itl~ s€~bstaastial federal: funding. Scientific and commercial :~scartih c~ansti€~~tie
the largest portion of PMR]F activities, yielding an ever-increasing aanount of operating
revenues. ~itla a proactive prograrc tm hire current and retuning reside~ts> Plv and its
associated companies provide traini~ag programs and works in cooperation with the college
and the high schools. Continuing agriculture and ac}uaculture operattions on adjacent State
lands provides a buffer and uses surface water that would-otherwise inundate the ham.
State government supports technology through funding research and developra~ent, providing.
solar tax cr~its and other tax ircentives, matti~ag land and infrastructure availalsle with
appropriate zoning, and subsidizing the telecon~nsunication infrastructa~r+~. 't'hey providb
assistance in reaching global ~na~-kets, in enco€araging local employrr€ent and business
ownership, in stimulating the development and use of alternative power generation; .and in
educatg .aua.`i students so that they can fill high-technology jobs.
County government supports technology businesses by zoning appropriately loc~.ed lands for
high-tech~sology uses and lay providing County infrastructure.
Fusin meal I~vety
Small business is the foundation of Kaua`i's economy, employing the largest percentage of
the population. There is a wide variety of business opportunities, including outdoor
recreation, with environynental tourism and sports facilities; support facilities for movies and
television; healing, hc~lth -care, wellness and retreat centers nth in alternative health and
traditional medicine; assisted living facilities for retirees; innovative power geration; light
n€.anuf~tung and food processing; authentic l~awaiian cul~:l. businesses and cultural
education; and home-based cottage businesses networked with electronic marketing.
Some of the former sugar mills are now coranaeercial centers with shops, museums, crafts and
artisan areas, and restaurants. `1`laey are preserved for their historical significance a€~d ~S~°saano.e
local products and culture. Other mills support food industry and industrial businesses.
ltaua`i businesses and governr~aent work together to combine the ltey ingredients of a
s~;~essful island economy. Thd C€a~mty supports business by providing r~~ded infrastructure
to towns and urban, centers; by funding business assistance programs; by nnirgirnizing
regulations and malting them understandable; and by providing limited tax incentives. New
Visiaacs ICaaa~'i ¦ 2-7
businesses are nurtured to ensure their success. Venture capital is available through local
banks and private investors.
State and criiunty governments continually streaaggiine their operations. l~us€ss, lgealtl°~ and
land use mgulations have been simplified, without sacrificing iYnpor~et health, safety and
welfare objectives.
(3p~r~~itaes and qty
Kaua`i's diverse cconoYny has provided its residents with more challenging work at a variety
of skill levels, better paying jobs, and greater economic stability. The cost of living has gone
down and the standard of living has gone up for figs average resident, ~'c~pic have yore time
with their facnllies and to provide service to their comynunities.
everyone shares in Kaua`i's prosperity. ~n attitude of government and community
responsibility translates auto effective programs that ignprove employment, housing aged
educational opportunities for Kaua`i's less advantaged citizens.
Ka~aa`i's public sclgools benefit from a nrinvented l~;partaxgent of lyducation, which places
prianary responsibility ..and autl$~arity for facilities, curriculugn, and peers~nnel tl level €~f
the school. Teachers, working iagdividually and in teaagas, have the ability to adopt innovative
approaches to learning. Standardized tests are used to pro~nde feedback on ~dt, teacher
and school pcrfortnance. Parents and teachers are involved in school governance.
Karnehameha Schools' programs reacig most stud rats and families of l~ati~pe l~awaii~a
ancestry and are coordinated with the public school system, This contributes to raising the
level of perforrnazace tlgroughoa~t the I~~ system.
1-lealth and social service programs are integrated with the public school systeng to provide
effective d coordinated assistance to families and ohanas. ~ducafion and youth progg'a~sgs
are a top priorit~S for Kauai. The State is responsible for funding and operating the schools,
and the County governtent plays a supporting role.
Kaua`i's non-profit health and social service agencies operate with stable sources of funding.
They arc valued and nurtured as comngunity assets. Silcox I~ospital continues to be the
leader in health services.
The County, through its Offices of Community l~ssistance and its Office of ~conoinic
I3evelop€nent, works with federal and State programs, business, anal the non-profit sector to
develop employ-ant opportunities for Kaua`i's less advantaged citizens.
The County h~zusixag agency, State housing agency, and I3epartaxgent of ~lawaiiata flomc
Lands base their efforts on a philosophy of opportunity. 'While rental housing and rental
subsidies remain important., c housing agencies are focused on providing homeownership
opportunities for low-wage working families. This means building very low-cost housing, To
leverage government funding and expand programs, tlgey work closely with lan€lowners,
banks, ,major businesses, and for-profit and non-profit housing develop. ~.s a eesult of this
concerted effort, the percentage of K:agsa`i residents who are homeowners is b5 percent,
Z-8 ¦ i~aaa'i (C~'seral Play
Crime and drug use are declining. In general, there is a greater sense of stability, peace of
mind, and hope for the future. '1
he diverse economy fosters the expansion and iynproveBnent
of our education system, so that our youth can fill the available jobs.
~ ~Ihnl~ Sfa~le Vlsl~a~a~ 1{nat~
f~.aua`i has a vibrant, stable visitor industry, with high occupancy rates and a strong mix of
first-time and return visitors. Kauai is known not only as the Carden Island _ a place of
outstandiaag mountain and coastal scenery, but also as a commua~ity friendly to ~tisitors and
a place whose residents and businesses nurture the natural ~;nvironr~tent and cultural
traditions.
Visitors can choose among a variety of activities: relaxed recreation and entertainment, in
either basic or luxury accommodations; touring by motorized vehicle or by bicycle;
adventures in ocean aa~d wilderness exploration; and unique cultural experiences. Kauai is
known for its extra~inary variety of activities.
While it is a major visitor destination, Kauai maintains its raral crater. I..iarnited in height
and size, visitor accoruntodatiores and attractions are designed to complement the rural
sig. l~e~ost hotels and resort facilities are located in the major resort yeas of l~rinceviile,
~ailua-Kapa `a, Lihu `e/Alukoli `i, and Po `ipie. T3evelopment is aged to feature the natural
environment, using tropical l"lawaiian architecture and natural materials. Tr~c flow is
controlled to mainimize noise and crowding.
The island is safe, and commercial and public facilities are clean and well-maintained.
Kaua`i's residents, businesses, and government care for visitors a~€d nurture il$c visitor
industry. They share a common understanding that "The environment is the economy, our
natural capital, the basis of our economic survival and success." Togeer; they Akan for
visitor ind~~stx3+ develop~€ent ~=hich is compa~Isle =~~ith the environment, ~uppo the
community's quality of life, mad sustains the qualities which attract visitors.
Visitors occupy various types of accommodations, buy frorei local businesses, and bring
outside money into the Kauai economy. Kauai attracts higher-spending visitors, and their
average length of stay is increasing because of e wide variety of cultural and recreational
activities. hotels and other resort accommodations have an average occupancy of 80 percent.
Average wages and benefits for industry employees are the highest in the state.
In Kaua`i's original visitor destination areas, older buildings have been renovated or
replaced, consistent with architectural gugdehnes and envu~onmental requssements. With the
exception of a few larger hotels, resort accommodations built since the year 2000 are smaller,
more low-key and intimate. I~ew visitor accommodations on the Nest Side, designed with
community input, consist of inn- and residential-style buildings.
Vacation rentals, inns, and bed and breakfasts provide alternative visitor accomodations,
'T'hey are licensed and monitored by professional associations, which promote cooperative
relationships with neighbors.
I'eoplc visit Kauai to learn about 1-Iawaiian culture. Ancient 1-la~vaii~.n sites and cultural.
practices are presented with respect and authenticity. fihey acre protected, restored and
interpreted appropriately. Sonic areas are off-limits and visited only under approved
V'ssi~aa f~ ICaua"i . 2-9
circumstances. Cultural sites and centers are managed by Native 1~Iawaiians and preserved by
laws and regulations of the State and the County.
The people of Kauai appreciate the xnatay benefits the visitor industry brings to the island.
'They, in turn, give tl~e gift of aloha, encouraging guests to return. and to stay longer,
Residents support the industry's role in strengtheygssag the economy, preserving the culture,
and protecting the environment. In general, residents agree that a healthy, well-managed
visitor industry is a major contributor to the quality of life on Kauai.
~ Rum! ~
'I7te Island of Kauai is a rural place. "Rural" describes many aspect of Kauai that people
value: green, open lands; raising crops for food; small communities where people know each
other; the absence of city noise and lights; not feeling crowded.
Kaua`i's rural character lies not just in those lands classified as "rural" or "agriculture".
Rather, it lies jn how the whole island fife t®gehher ~ the relationship of urban settlements to
open lands, how the built-up erases relate to the natural features of flee landscape, lsow pimple
get ou€asl. Some important elements Qf Kaua`i's physical environment:
¦ Small towns sand communities that have a distinct character and are compact
rather than spread out.
¦ VVidc expanses of open lands natural areas and lands in active cultivation
pro~-idc separation bet~v~n the tovv°ns and cotrimunitaes. 'I`he rhythms of
communities alternating with open lands is pleasing; and the sepamtis~n
highlights the special identity of each community.
¦ Buildings are relatively small in scale and low in height, complementi~,g rather
*l~n dorr~inating a Landscape.
¦ `I`he relatively small scale of Kauai roads, the presence of natural vegetation
along the roads, and the absence of medial concrete barriers.
Kauai is a place of great natural beauty and green open spaces, valued by residents and
visitors alike. Rural and urban development are carefully planned and regulated to ensure that
Kauai continues to be "'Phe Garden Island."
U~ ~t~s
Businesses, residences, and other urban uses are concentrated in Kaua`i's towns and
residential communities, occupying only five percent of the total. land area. 'To aninianize
highway traffic and avoid urban sprawl, new residential communities are centered around the
treajor towns aa~d job centers of L~u`e-I-Ianama`ulu-Puhi and Kaloanl'o`ip~. In the past two
decades, the largest number of new residences have been built in two new develolsmetats on
either side of Lr~u`e a the master-planned community of l~aakeall'uhi to the west and, on to
the east and north, an extension of Ir,~n~~ `e town, filling in around the air~rt and fianaanll`ul.u.
~~nother new residentiaUresort cc~€nm€~n€ty continues to develop at Ka~kui`ula, znear po`ip~.
expansion of urban areas, particularly new shopping centers and other retail developments
which attract a Large amount of vehicular traffiic, are controlled to avoid ban sprawl and
2-1Q ¦ ~ssa'i Gesaeral PEa¢~
strip development along the highway. Town edges arc clearly dc~ucd, and scenic corridors
are maia~tzair~cd along the highways seed ynajor roads between towns.
A~ri1tP s
AgriculteD a~as arc characterized by broad expanses of opera space a mixture of pastures
and lame-sc~lc agricultam~l plantations, sanall fps, and cluster of residences. lsl use
regulations specifically provide for agriculturaP coar~nunities, wirl4 design standards for
subdivisions k:~r preserve open :space and landscape features. ;and use r~gul~~n~ ~n-d: ~a~c
incentives are structural to proBnote. legitiaaaatc agriculture; enterprises and to increase
opportunities for small f~ers.
AgriculturaP coanrraunities consist of clustered houses surrounded by open land dedicated to
conservation or agriculture. Development standards require new sidential develo~ent to
Ynatch tltc character of ~c rural ldscape< Roads ~d structures i€~tegratcd ir€to Chc
topography, desgn~:d to be copnpatiblc -with the laxadscapc Wither t#~an to ~d. gut:, I.argc
trees .and important natural features, such as strews and hills, arc preserved. ~esidcnces mad
other structus a~ sited and designedl so that they do not usually donate the la€~dscapc.
Buildg light, size, color end €~aaterials are carefully eontrolled<
~uP litn~ and Bays
(3tar ruraP roads retain their "country character." 'T'hey are limited to two lanes, bordered with
raatul. vcgytatior3, Spy. lire~its are 1~ept low f safety reascs. 'l'he ght~of-way may:
include grassed drainage swales, buw there are no sidewalks, cua°'~s or gutters. e-la€ac
bridges have bin gaesccd in lac alef~~Eet£u region, botfa fbr ~~~cir historic ~,=slue aid
because they slow traffic. Some historic bridges have also b~r~ retaia'acd ire other
coxnmh~~i~~~, whew tr~ic volumes are 101. Tr~c signagc is aninit;al. Safe 13icyclc aa~d
pccs4estr€a~ routs;s are prop=idcd,
l~Iighways ire agrieulturallr~aral areas are designed to retaitti a ratu~l appearanc+~, affording
uizclutt~rcd views of the ocean and tlac countryside. State and county agencies have adopted
"flexible highway design," in order to enhance scenic aa~d historic qualities and to strike a
balance bet~ve~n flow of automobile traffic and safe facilities for buses, bicycles and
pedestrians.
1;Iighway signagc is rninir~tized and is designed to enhaa~ce the travel experience. l
;local
utility poles .and lir£es ~e designed to be unobtrusive, and, where fusible, utility limos are
pPaced ursdder~and. 'Frees and other plaagtings have bin alo€~g highways in places
where they ~uhance scenic qualities. Scenic pull-oats, built with nat"earal ~aaterials, a~ placed
in key locations.
Where four leases are required to carry traffic in a particular corridor, ties roadway is davided
by a landscapeai ratediaxe or separated into two sn?aller roadways, Long stitches of h~;~~i~~=~~_
between towns, such as ~e expanded section of l~auanuali`i 13ighway betm~~een Lihu`e mad
Ierlaluhia Road and the ~apa`a Bypass, are designed as scenic parkways.
l~gcphag our roads and laighway~ bea~al~ful is a successful publi~pa~vat~ ~;ffort. State and
county agencies ensure props! roadside rraaintenance. 1~lighways are bordered by low-care
V&~$aas~ f~e° iCaaaa"I • 2-11
landscaping that does not require herbicide control. The County and community groups
maintain an effective litter control program.
1?,~ost 4€ what is seen alo~ag I~aoa`i's highways is open land in active agricaaltural or
conservatiar~ use, such as farming, rancl$ing, gild areas and forest. To avoid the appeaaace
of sprall, Co~n+ scenic corridor regaalations require new resider€tial devel~pnaerats to
observe deep setbackse from the highv~=ay. New comartercial developraats outside of existi~ag
towns are requires; to limit highway frontage, screen parking lots from the highway with
landscaping, and provide access frown a side road where feasible.
Cssnst~I i~velop~ent
Iaa new cesvrt developgnents and subdivisions along the coast, buildings am setback from the
shoreline in order to serve the followisag purposes: to avoid potential. tsnni or hurric3axs;
damage; to preserve dunes, coastal bluffs, and other irraportant physical features; to allow
space for caa~t~l: erosion, so that there is ns~ need fsi€ a seawall ;and dry beams ~~a is
preserved; and to preserve views. Setbacks are based on historic coastal erosiota treads,
daanages during past laurcicane and tsunami events, the nature of tl€~: topography, ~d scenic
values.
Visitor industry development along the shoreline provides yell-marked, easy-to=awes public
access and clean. shower/rest room facilities, with ample parking. buildings are set well back
froa~a the shoreline, providing an open, la~adscaped a vrith a street or walkway facilitbtiaig
public a~c~ss ap end d~i~ the beach. Residents and visitors share t.~ beaches cazrefortafsly.
I2eveloparaent along the sh€arclin~: is designed and landscaped to visual. impt.
There is a transition zone *~vhich allows increased buildang height witl'a laa~ger setbacks, aap to
the four-stor'~- height Limit.
~esideaaces and other buildings are excluded from undeveloped shoreline lands which are in
tlae State Canservation District. In newly zoned areas, ~sidential and resort development has
bra required to set hack beyond ghe historic hajrrieane iaaundation zone and beyond areas at
hazard of chronic beach erosion. ~.'Ve have also landlsaa~ked oceaaafront whenever possible, to
protect ~~iews and open space. ;Residences along die shoreline are a°equired to meet special
design staa€ds for height, size, set-back, and color.
Increased setbacks have reduced the need for seawalls or artificial hardening of the shoreline.
Tong sandy shorelines, shore protection structures are allowed only ire special instannces as a
last. resort.
r~s ~nai Access ~ lA~saatalsas a~ad
~e rna~aage the access to public lauds and shoreline by enforcing laves, working out solutions
with all concerned, and establishiaag dedication and acquisition grog€as 1~nded by
developers. I..a~adovsnaers are offered i~tcentives such as tax credits a~ad tirnits on ii~bility for
public access. Conveyance taxes arc used to acquire public lands, paa:!~ks, a~ad shoreline areas.
~'e ply ahead for access by prclia:;irag areas dsenl necessary, using clear guid~lincs
establi:~hed through co~xaxanity-lamed lanniaag.
2-12 ¦ Kasaa'i Ge~ea~aal
Visitors shy Kaua`i's parks, taatural areas, and avatars in harfltflony with residents and the
envirofla~ent, T'he Couaaty is irreplerTSenting a lofl~g-r~r~ge p~r~ rester Pl~~ avhicl$ is regularly
ufpdatcd and sets priorities for park operations and capital ircaprovt:s€ats< lwacla of the a~or
Stagy parks also has up~ttaAdate ester plan, g~rspared cotiabara~on =~itli tlac c~nauxsity.
~~crcd fundg to ai~~n anal ~~para~l pa$`ks cotes fry 5~~ tax ~{e~€:~~s~ g;~=eli
~ss~r fees aid'by out-off state visitors: Perks are-safe, sstr~s arc t:lsa~, Paring ~s ~rsle.
iacilitics are available; for loot gathcrirngs and public events.
The County Parks Prograrsa ssepports thriving youth and adult slsorts leagus~ ~s v~elD as
providing a €liverse rasage of recreational and social opportunitit;s far psaple of va€ious ages
and interests. 'The Parks Progrx~ct also recognizes the need to spor'c thtr sty gadus~y and
to balance visitor and conaursity Hestia. tin alliance bet~+een the Ctg~ty Parks Division and
the visitor industry insures that g°k facilities a.~ed by visitors are veil-rnaintain~l, s~.alsrted
by visitor felt revena~es and industry resources.
e updated Ca~anty Pz~ks Plan is ~asgd to priaritize capital i€nproveanents and devc;loprncrat
of caeav Barks and indoor recreation facilities. 'l`he Plan is fflscally-constrained, balking
pro~ectsd c~pitaa expcrzdits d long-terrr# aperatiaag costa. ~:inst €3sc.e°d ~<ail~hie
fflnaaciat resource. `l'ist' Pis Man.'s Prioa~ties are ad~usblcs based. on corTSparisor~ of
conaunity befits asxd consideration of tlfle deagr~ to which costs are offset by user fee
revenues a,~dlor community volurst~r avork.
Toes aid Co~r~~l I~velo~€~ent
T`he County leas coznplstsd mayor actions to revitalize asxd i~'nprove central Luau `e and
I~aua`i's historic small toa~=~:s and conaflxaurdties. t~ctians ifl~clude ~gded ~svsr ~,nd ~=air
facilities, ixecreassd pfl~blic pas°krAg, and pedestrian-friendly improvsrnts to sidsvr:ks and.
streets, ~asrc coordinated ~~itl-~ County zosag, pri*,iat~ l~~nd~xr~~ initial€~~cs, seed
h$ghav
ay ~r#d road devsloprnt through ~llbotivs planniaa nrnoaa Count _agc~ciss,
coraarnunity azsd busiaaess organizations, and the State l~[ighvdays Division.
Under the CBeneral Plan, neav comanercial developflnent has beers focused on meeting
com€rtunity shopping ner=ds lvhile supporting local. small businesses anal older business was.
~Vis stxatsgic decisions about high~ray developnsesnt and nevi coznrs€ercial zoning, the
Coa~nty has avoided strip dsvelopn~nt and urban spraavl.
l~hllc lr
acillt~~ end Sec
Sgslld ~~is~sts~, =The County of l~ua`i leads the slats in having the loavest per capita rats of
$vasts g~ra€ion and the higherst rats of reuse and recycling. `T" County andlor privets
companies provide reliable collection service and environrsasntally-sound disposal, v~itla the
cost beirsg paid by scice ~sssrs. ~y setting fat; and t_ax rates in pportion to the a€nount of
vvasts collectt;d arsd di~sposcd, the County assures t~uity in service; payments and provides an
incentive for rsducirsg ~vastc generation.
Dl~ce l~.aua`i strsazrss teen freely in their natural courses, carrying nutrients and dxainizag
ins~vater to the ocean. Tea. c€}astal areas, avetlands and vegstatetl strum ba€aks tgltcr rurfloff
bef<:a it reaches coral etc. Tea a cases, old agricultasl ditt=:hss rsscrvoi:~ .are
maintained as part of the existing drainage3flood prevention. system. Cosrcial .and
resfldstatsal dsvelopgnsnts have savales and shallodv basflns to det~sn storxnavatsrs, iaa ordear to
vas ~o~ lCaaaa~i . 2-~ 3
reduce erosion from typical storms. The County limits construction aloaag streams and on
steeply-sloped lands. Where there is a serious hazard of flooding, the preferred rthods are
to enlarge ~c developed floodplain apes and/or relocate structures. The County is a ]~:ader
in adapting end applying ``best n~anagernent practices" .for land nsc, site devel€~pment and
csrnst~tion> l~eca€ase of cagcful rnaraage€;nt .grad rcgaalation, Kau~`i is free €zf crancre;s;Klined
drainage clsannely.
l~l~tl l~o~xer. The electrical power corrtpanies serving Kauai ia~e advantage of ne`v
technologies to offer alternative gssvaer soearces that do raot depend on f€~ssil fuels. l~.e€~~~=~blc
sources of e€~rgy such as solar, hydroelectric and biomass, supply a gPOwing portion of
energy weds. ~aael cells are corn~nonly used to provide era individu~:l <wer source for hoes
and businesses, especially in oastlying aa°eas. The power generating compaaxies have beca~ able
to reduce power transa~nission facilities and costs, with savings passed onto the consumers.
iZesidents of Kaea~.`i County arc dedicated to the efficient use of 4raergy aaxd to rtair~imizir~g the
deleterious l~alth; safs
t'y and aesthetic impacts of power a~~~alladons. I€~ particular, 4hc
county seeks oppoatunities and eeononaic araethods to render facilities (including t€'asgnission
limes) incorsspicar~sus in order to eaahan a "parkleke" appearance thro~:hout .tom isla~xd.
Ah°p~ ~Pl~rs
La°hu `e Airport is continually r~pgrad~i in order to support the desired level of visitor industry
develog~~nt and the export of agricultural prodeacts to the rna#nland, `I`he con~rci~.l
hags ~t N~wiliwili end Dori Ally. e contanuall
j ug~graded to aceo~odatc the latest
cargo shipping systerras.
Several cruise lines visit Kauai and serve the travel industry and local residents with cruises
of varying l~~g,h~ and cost. Cruise ships are welcomed in Nawiliwili ~n:d poi Allen. aesrs.
Soarac moor ~3horc of ai.ea end ferry visitors ashQrc via K~;aol~ S:srl boat 1~~or.
passenger reception aax~ arc :ateactive and well-designed, vritl~ easy circulation among
visitor weleame stations and g~eand t~rasportation staging areas.
®ur small boat harbors provide for the recreation and commercial needs of Kaeaa`i's
fishermen ~~nd boat owners. Cornagaer`ial ease of the small boat hbor5 is reaanaged by the
State, assuxi~ffi that facilities -e adequate to accoasarnoda~ resident fishcrrnen ~xd
recreational boatieag, as well as providing for boat tours azad rea~.ls for visitors. The
l~epartent €af Land seed Natural Itesoure~s manages and regealat~ boat tours and ease of
~ratal beats on Kaua`i's ~~~~°s, assuring that conrcial boating dace riot degrade rtux~al or
Pec~ational resources and does not crowd out resident use and cnloyrncttte ~,ats ors boat
tour landings in wilderness costal areas are strictly enforced.
~Ielicogtc"r ttrs are anoth;>r popular way that visitors experience. Kauai. Tour coanpamies
yvork closely with the 1~ederal Aviation Administration and residents to minirraize negative
impact and enagloy the latest tcchraology to reduce noise. They control their Pouters to,p~-cv~nt
intrusion ors comanunities, sacred sites, and wilderness areas such as Kalalau Valley.
~elicopteP tour operations are ce€~~ali zed at L,a~au `e Airport. l~e;lic€~ptcrs ;~l.so operate from
paince~Fille Airport grid frown oihcr pvate sites, as regulated ley the ~~unty Planning
Cornnaission. prraposesl expansions ezf operations from these sites are negotiated with the
2-14 ~ ~eea'i G~s~e~l €~l~s
_ _
neighboring connrtaua~ities. To avoid spreading uncontrolled noise impacts, no other State-
owned heliport facilities Dave been developed.
C€sn~~ty ~a~~t~u
]Kaua`i citizens enjoy a rich civic life because of their individual and collective co~nitnaent
to each other's oval).-being and aspect for the place. Ivey values a~ test, ~autaial aspect, and
a deterxninati~;n to maintain open dialogue. Citizens of all ages, €thnic heritages, and incoYne
levels actively. participate in community life at many level€ aid thrsaugh a v~ety of
activities. C;oth~nunity organizations inforra~ citizens and nBOlailizc then to paicipate in
dialogue. CBovern4nent agencies and public officials provide: fir and esla~al mess. to
inf®ra~ata®n and assastaa~ce f®P all c~t~ens; give a~lcquatc notice of pr€pose~ aeons; conduct
open P~acetings; and 'ke public records accessible.
fibs County goverment Peaches out to involve stakeholders and the inte~sted public at the
e°liest stags of i~nport:~nt public decisions, briangi€~g people gceP to frame the assue~,
hear different viewpoints, and propose action. Government e~npowrrs and encouges citizen
participation, especially im the betterment of their hone co~ur~i~~:~.
Plans for individual towns and con~tunities .are prepared by broaslabased community
coalitions collaborating vvitl~ gbc Planning I~ep~txnent. fihc co~nm~anity pl~~ is actionb
oriented anal fs~tsvides specif~tc guidance for enhancing the coYn~nu~aaty and ~cco€nanodatirxg
charagc within the islandwide framework of the General Plan.
Vis'sosa f~~ 1Ca~aa`i ¦ 2-15