Hawaiʻi declares 2026 Year of our coastal kuleana; Kauai invited

Governor Josh Green declared 2026 the year of our coastal kuleana on January 10, launching a year-long campaign to strengthen stewardship of Hawaiʻi’s coastal habitats. The proclamation, made in partnership with the Department of Land and Natural Resources and a broad array of nonprofit partners, aims to expand public education, promote culturally respectful recreation, and scale volunteerism across the islands.

The initiative centers on encouraging people to celebrate and care for the diversity of life that depends on shorelines, reefs and nearshore waters. Activities slated for the year include public education programs, coordinated coastal cleanups, volunteer stewardship opportunities, and collaborations between state agencies and community organizations to protect coastal ecosystems and native species. For Kauai, where beaches, fishing areas and reef systems are central to daily life and the visitor economy, the campaign underscores shared responsibilities—kuleana—among residents, businesses and visitors.

Local impacts will be practical and cultural. Expect to see more organized cleanups on popular county beaches, school and community outreach about safe and respectful recreation practices, and expanded volunteer roles in habitat restoration. The effort places an explicit emphasis on culturally respectful behavior at coastal sites, signaling stronger support for practices that protect wahi pana and native species while allowing safe public access. For island users—fishermen, surfers, boaters, beachgoers and mālama ʻāina volunteers—this means increased opportunities to learn best practices, join stewardship events and help steward fragile reef and shoreline areas.

The proclamation also reflects broader pressures facing island coasts. Rising sea levels, shifting marine ecosystems and increased recreational use make local stewardship a frontline response to global changes. By foregrounding education and organized volunteerism, the state seeks to build community resilience while protecting resources that sustain subsistence practices, tourism and cultural life. Partnerships with nonprofits and community groups are intended to ensure efforts are locally grounded, culturally informed and sustained beyond a single year.

For Kauai residents, the campaign offers both responsibilities and practical ways to be involved. Look for county and DLNR event notices on coastal cleanups, volunteer training on habitat restoration, and public workshops about safe, respectful shoreline recreation. Small actions—packing out trash, using reef-safe sunscreens, following lifeguard and signage guidance, and checking in with local cultural stewards before entering sensitive sites—will add up.

Our two cents? Treat 2026 as a chance to brush up on kuleana—get involved, learn from kūpuna and community groups, and help keep Kauai’s shorelines healthy for generations.