LIHU‘E — The County of Kaua‘i is turning to the public as it maps out a plan to address the future impacts climate change will have on infrastructure and the services it provides to businesses and residents.
A series of virtual and in-person workshops is scheduled over the next two months, at which County of Kaua‘i Planning Department personnel will discuss adaptation strategies with the community.
The discussions with the community will help the county in developing the Kaua‘i Climate Adaptation and Action Plan. The plan will provide a framework for adapting to climate change.
“County services and infrastructure will be drastically impacted by climate change,” said county Planning Department Director Ka‘aina Hull in a statement on Wednesday, April 26.
“We are engaging residents on adaptation strategies, such as managed retreat transfer of development rights and
nature-based solutions,” Hull said.
A virtual workshop will get the process going on Wednesday, May 10, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Participants in the workshop, which will be held via Zoom, are being asked to preregister online at kauaiadaptation.com.
A number of in-person workshops will begin one week later, with the first one on Wednesday, May 17, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Lihu‘e Civic Center Mo‘ikeha Building conference room.
The workshops will continue Thursday, June 1, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Koloa Neighborhood Center, followed by another workshop on Tuesday, June 6, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Waimea Neighborhood Center.
Workshops are also scheduled for Tuesday, June 13, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at St. Catherine School in Kapa‘a, and Thursday, June 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Hanalei School. Light dinners will be provided at all in-person workshops.
An online poll will also be made available from May 10 to June 21 at kauaiadaptation.com to give the public a chance to rate and comment on the proposed strategies presented during the process.
People in need of special accommodations are asked to contact Marie Williams at the planning department at 808-241-4050 or email at plankauai.gov as soon as possible.
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Wyatt Haupt Jr., editor, can be reached at 808-245-0457 or whaupt@thegardenisland.com.
