Public service is the main mission of government and a major component of this is community outreach. I believe it is our core responsibility to reach out to the people we serve. We must go into our communities and listen
Public service is the main mission of government and a major component of this is community outreach.
I believe it is our core responsibility to reach out to the people we serve. We must go into our communities and listen to what they have to say so we can learn and do things better.
This is the essence of public service.
Five years ago when we launched Ka Leo O Kaua‘i, our goal was to go out and listen to community concerns and respond. Along with this, we provided a link to state and federal governments to advocate for our community at those levels. Many community concerns were addressed and resolved in the early years. As concerns abated, the Ka Leo program transformed to working with communities and empowering them by helping them realize the important role they play in the governmental process.
Thus, the primary focus of our outreach efforts now is to strengthen our communities and their connections to government.
Communities have responded to our efforts and have come together in the following ways:
• New community associations
While Hanalei, Kilauea and Koloa community associations have been in place, new organizations have been born as a result of our outreach program such as the Hanama‘ulu Neighborhood Community Association. Kekaha and Hanapepe residents are in the process of forming their community associations. Our goal is to establish and partner with community associations that take proactive approaches to community strengthening.
• More participation in the Adopt-A-Park program
Currently, 39 of the 64 county parks on the island are adopted. We are looking at having all of our county parks adopted by community associations, which can help with beautification as well as use their eyes and ears to protect our parks.
• Expansion of the CERTS (Community Emergency Response Teams) program
There are approximately 240 individuals currently involved in the CERTS program with active teams in: Anahola, Hanalei, Kekaha, Kilauea, Koloa, Lihu‘e, Princeville, Wailua Homesteads and Waimea. We hope to expand CERTS to every community on the island.
• Planning for the Citizen Patrol program
Statistics show that crime has dropped in communities where the Citizen Patrol program has been established. So far, Kekaha is the only community on Kaua‘i that has formed a Citizen Patrol, but other communities are planning to implement similar programs.
• Renewed interest in Neighborhood Watches
Our goal is to partner with neighborhood associations to establish a Neighborhood Watch on as many streets as possible.
• Active Waele A Ola Hou (Weed & Seed-like) programs
Presently, there are three communities that have implemented Waele A Ola Hou — Hanama‘ulu, Kekaha and Kilauea — and are actively working to stop drug trafficking in their neighborhoods.
• Organizing community celebrations
Celebrating the accomplishments and heritage of communities is important to building strong communities. Hanalei, Koloa and Waimea have well-established celebrations. Other communities such as Ahukini and Puhi have had reunions to celebrate and honor their past. Hanama‘ulu Town Celebration is in its third year and Kekaha is reviving its Fourth of July celebration. We hope to work with all of our communities to celebrate their ‘ohana and heritage.
• Island-wide Graffiti Busters program
Residents have said that the quicker graffiti is removed, the less likely vandalism will continue to occur in that location. There is a team or an individual in every community to call upon when graffiti is discovered.
In discussions with council members, I think we all agree that community outreach is essential. We believe each department needs to remain committed to responding to problems in a quick and efficient manner. We believe we should partner with communities on their projects and in achieving their goals.
It doesn’t matter whether community outreach requires 25 percent of a single position, 100 percent of three positions or any other scenario. Participation of departmental employees in outreach activities simply recognizes that community outreach is a core function of all departments within county government.
We set up these community meetings to go out and listen and bring government closer to the people we serve, and show them that we’re there to support them.
By focusing on building strong communities that are more self-sustaining and self-sufficient, it is my hope that one day government will simply be an extension of these strong communities.
County government and the community, in partnership, can do great things for our island home.
Please join us tonight for the fifth annual Ka Leo O Kaua‘i Celebration. The event will be held at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Bryan Baptiste is a second-term mayor of the county of Kaua‘i. He lives in Wailua.
