Community planning group selects new president, CEO

The advisory board of the Kaua‘i Planning and Action Alliance (KPAA), formed two years ago to facilitate collaborative, community-based planning, has hired a former Maui resident as president and chief executive officer.

Diane Zachary, co-founder of the Maui Coastal Lands Trust and former director of the Maui Economic Development Board, began her duties with KPAA the first week of August.

“My intention is to draw from the wisdom and experience here on Kaua‘i, and provide the right environment for people and organizations to work together to create positive results,” she said.

“I will be spending considerable time doing my homework on Kaua‘i, contacting leaders and community members, getting to know KPAA organizations, and generally learning about my new home,” she said.

“I feel there are issues similar to Maui, such as maintaining traditions and values in the face of growth, bringing people together to achieve a common vision, maintaining rural character and agriculture, providing affordable housing, preparing students for viable careers, dealing with drug abuse, and maintaining a quality visitor industry while diversifying the economy for greater job-market stability,” she said.

“I also recognize that Kaua‘i is unique, and that some lessons from Maui may apply, and some may not,” said Zachary.

The KPAA advisory board of directors approved a selection committee’s recommendation to hire Zachary.

KPAA’s mission is to bring together diverse organizations for collaborative planning and action to achieve targeted community goals.

KPAA is funded by the Agenda for Building Community, the County of Kauai, and by state and foundation grants.

It is currently housed under Garden Island Resource Conservation and Development, Inc. (RC&D), which was instrumental in its formation. Zachary may be contacted at the RC&D office in the Watumull Plaza on Rice Street in Lihu‘e, 246-0091.