Kaua‘i Seeks Public Input on Five Year Hazard Mitigation Plan
The Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency invited residents to help update the County Multi Hazard Mitigation and Resilience Plan, a five year strategy to reduce risks from natural hazards and strengthen preparedness across the island. A public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 10 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Līhu‘e, offering opportunities to review draft materials and influence project priorities and funding decisions.
On December 3 the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency opened a public comment period for the County Multi Hazard Mitigation and Resilience Plan, the five year strategy designed to lower risk from natural hazards and build community resilience islandwide. Agency officials announced an in person meeting for Wednesday, December 10 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Planning Commission Conference Room at the Moʻikeha Building in Līhu‘e and encouraged residents, community organizations, business owners, and other stakeholders to review draft materials in advance.
The plan update maps hazards, assesses community vulnerabilities, and proposes mitigation actions across key sectors including infrastructure, housing, natural resources, and emergency response. Those technical assessments and proposed projects will guide how the county prioritizes work and which initiatives are advanced when seeking hazard mitigation grants. Public input is a formal element of that prioritization process and can influence the island projects that receive state and federal funding.
For local communities the plan is consequential because it shapes where investments are made to protect homes, roads, water systems, shorelines, and other critical resources. The update is timed as communities across the Pacific confront growing pressures from extreme weather and sea level rise, making local choices about resilience planning more urgent and costly if deferred. Businesses and nonprofit organizations are also likely to see impacts in permit priorities and infrastructure investments driven by the plan.
Residents may review draft plan materials online through the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency page on the county website and may bring written or oral feedback to the December 10 meeting. Those unable to attend in person are encouraged to use the online resources and contact the agency for further information on how to submit comments. County officials have emphasized that broad participation will help ensure mitigation projects reflect island needs and strengthen eligibility for external grant funding that supports implementation.
