Kauaʻi Seeks Public Input on Five Year Hazard Plan Update

On November 12 the Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency issued an invitation for public feedback on the County five year Multi Hazard Mitigation and Resilience Plan update. The agency scheduled an in person public meeting on December 10, 2025 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Planning Commission Conference Room in the Moʻikeha Building, 4444 Rice Street Suite 2A/2B in Līhuʻe. Residents are being asked to review proposed approaches and help guide which actions the County should prioritize.

The update presents a comprehensive look at risks facing Kauaʻi, outlining strategies intended to reduce exposure and vulnerability to wildfires, storms, tsunami, landslides and other hazards. The plan brings together hazard assessment, critical infrastructure considerations and resilience measures intended to strengthen community preparedness across the island. The agency described public participation as essential to shaping priorities that reflect lived experience and local needs.

For Kauaʻi residents the decisions set out in the plan have direct implications for homes, businesses, cultural sites and essential services. Updates to mitigation priorities can influence where resources are allocated for vegetation management, flood control and coastal protections, and they can guide emergency planning for communities that regularly face intense storms and tsunami risk. Ensuring that mitigation actions account for local knowledge will be important for protecting neighborhoods and maintaining access to transportation and utility networks after hazardous events.

The meeting in Līhuʻe will provide a forum for residents to review plan components and offer feedback in person. Those unable to attend can consult the County project StoryMap to examine the draft measures and contextual materials online. The updated plan will inform County strategies over the next five years and will be used by planners and emergency managers as they balance immediate needs with long term resilience goals.

Community engagement also carries broader implications. As Pacific island communities confront shifting climate patterns and more frequent extremes, local mitigation planning connects to regional preparedness and to funding opportunities that support adaptation. Kauaʻi leaders and residents who participate in the process help align the County approach with local priorities and traditional knowledge that are central to effective risk reduction.

For more information residents may review the County project StoryMap or contact County staff member David Kennard. The December 10 meeting will be one of the principal opportunities to register concerns and recommendations before the plan moves toward finalization.