Kaua’i adopts first-ever framework to guide post-disaster recovery, redevelopment

In recent years, Kauai has experienced devastating tropical cyclones, wildfires, floods, high surf and waves. In response, the County of Kauai has developed a framework to help Kauai communities better prepare and better support disaster recovery. Written guidelines for disaster recovery operations were officially adopted by the Kauai County Council in September.

Kauai County Council acknowledges growing threat from climate changeand importance Pre-disaster recovery frameworkthrough the adoption of a “Resolution to Adopt a Pre-Disaster Recovery Framework for the County of Kauai.”

“This structure represents the power of preparation and collaboration,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. “I am deeply grateful to our partners at Hawai'i Sea Grant, our county departments and our public organizations for helping Kauai be ready to rebuild stronger, safer and more resilient than ever.”

Recovery requires community coordination

These are the first set of written guidelines on Kauai that were developed to guide actions and decision making for recovery and reconstruction after the disaster. The guidelines recognize that effective disaster recovery requires the participation of the entire community, including staff and local authoritiesutilities, non-profit organizations and community members.

“This structure creates a restoration management organization with a clear kuleana for county and state government departments and other nonprofit organizations that are involved in restoration,” said Ruby Pap, Hawai'i Sea Grant program extension specialist who led the project.

“This will help improve working relationships within the recovery community, improve relationships between government and communities, make recovery more resilient and lead to a more holistic view of disaster recovery.”

As part of this project, the non-profit community organization Āina Alliance in Anahola, Kauai, conducted post-disaster recovery exercises with the Anahola community, culminating in the report “Building Back Better: A Pre-Disaster Action Agenda for Anahola, Kauai.” Their process could serve as a model for other communities across the island.

The plan was developed under the leadership of the County Revitalization Task Force and Stakeholder Advisory Group with representatives from more than 40 departments and organizations led by the Office of the Mayor, Kauai Emergency Management Agency, Kauai County Department of Planning and Economic Development.