Kauai County Announces Thanksgiving Closures, Essential Services Continue

The County of Kaua‘i notified residents on November 19 that many county offices and facilities would be closed on Thursday, November 27 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. The notice named neighborhood centers, the Puhi Metals Recycling Center, the Kekaha Landfill, HI5 Redemption Centers, refuse transfer stations, and the Waimea and Kapa‘a swimming pools among the facilities that would not be open that day.

The announcement emphasized continuity for certain essential services. Residential refuse collection was listed to run on its regular schedule, and The Kaua‘i Bus service was confirmed to operate normally. County offices were scheduled to resume normal business hours on Friday, November 28.

For residents who rely on county operated facilities for waste disposal and recycling, the closures mean planning ahead to avoid missed pickups or delayed disposal. The closure of HI5 Redemption Centers and the Puhi Metals Recycling Center will affect those who routinely use those sites for redeeming bottles and metals, and the temporary unavailability of refuse transfer stations and the Kekaha Landfill will concentrate disposal demand before and after the holiday.

Neighborhood centers often host community programs and provide space for social services. Their closure for a single holiday can disrupt scheduled activities and reduce access for residents who depend on those services, particularly seniors and families. The temporary closure of public pools in Waimea and Kapa‘a will affect recreational access for residents and organized youth programs that may have planned activities around the holiday period.

From an institutional perspective, the county decision reflects standard public sector practice of closing nonessential operations for federal and state holidays while maintaining core services that affect public health and safety. Maintaining residential refuse collection and public transit service helps mitigate immediate public health risks and supports mobility for residents who lack private transportation options.

Residents seeking county services that require in person attention should plan for the resumption of county office hours on Friday, November 28. The county notice provided the specific list of closures and the schedule for service resumption, allowing households and community organizations to adjust plans around the holiday.