ONLINE VERSION 1.3 VISION AND GOALS the vision sets the desired long range outcome through a series of statements organized by the following over-arching goals: A Sustainable Island A Healthy and Resilient People Growing responsibly to meet the needs Increasing health, vitality, and resilience of current and future generations without of communities through improving the depleting resources. natural, built, and social environment and • Kaua‘i is a sustainable island, rooted in responding to impacts from climate change. principles of aloha and mālama ‘āina, and • Kaua‘i is a place with healthy people and remarkable in its thriving ecosystems. vibrant community life, safe facilities for • Kaua‘i is a place where conservation walking and biking, places to gather and and restoration of land and water socialize, and venues for arts and culture. resources provide the foundation of • Kaua‘i is a resilient community that sustainable policies for land use, energy, shares kuleana in planning for the future, infrastructure, society, and economy. proactively responding to and preparing for changes, and providing for the needs of people from keiki to kūpuna. • Kaua‘i is a place that supports agriculture and a diversity of farming practices and produces food and other products that contribute to Kaua‘i’s self-sufficiency. A Unique and Beautiful Place Stewardship and protection of the natural, cultural, social, and built environment assets that are of value to the community. • Kaua‘i is a place of distinctive natural beauty that honors its Native Hawaiian heritage, values historic places, and An Equitable Place, with is shaped by diverse languages and Opportunity for All cultural traditions. Fostering diverse and equitable • Kaua‘i is an island of unique communities communities with vibrant economies, that are united in a common vision and in access to jobs and housing, and a high care for their neighbors and ‘ohana quality of life. • Kaua‘i is a place where rural character • Kaua‘i is an island of economic opportunity and natural landscapes are preserved where businesses, cottage industries, and through compact, walkable communities entrepreneurs thrive, and where youth have separated by scenic and functional open broad access to education, enrichment, spaces. and xeconomic opportunity. • Kaua‘i is a place that welcomes visitors, • Kaua‘i is a place where housing for all providing adequate facilities and a ages and income levels is integrated into variety of cultural and recreational the fabric of each community, and where opportunities while maintaining the people can live close to work and services. principles of aloha and mālama ‘āina. 32 KAUA‘I COUNTY GENERAL PLAN EXHIBIT "I-26" ONLINE VERSION ONLINE VERSION GOAL #1: A SUSTAINABLE ISLAND Sustainability means growing responsibly to meet the needs of current and future generations without depleting important resources. Kaua‘i residents widely agree that infrastructure while preserving open The United Nations sustainability should drive planning space and contributing to health. Brundtland Commission for the future. this recognizes that Adequate infrastructure should be defined sustainable Kaua‘i’s natural environment provides provided to support current and the foundation for a sustainable anticipated needs. development as and equitable society, which in turn “development that meets A sustainable society is one with a the needs of the present creates and supports a sustainable strong and diverse community fabric, economy. the 2000 general Plan without compromising where people of all ages, origins, the ability of future broke ground toward recognizing economic statuses, and abilities co- sustainability goals for the County, but generations to meet their exist and thrive. they share a desire to own needs.” this general Plan is the first to adopt it strengthen communities to withstand as an overarching goal. economic and environmental - United Nations, 1987 Sustainable development does not pressures and provide for needs endanger the natural systems that from keiki to kūpuna. a sustainable support life: air, water, soil, and living economy requires increased self- Community Voices organisms. It means meeting the basic reliance for food, energy, and other needs of society and extending to resources. this means each individual “In the words of Edward all people the opportunity to satisfy taking the responsibility, or kuleana, R. Murrow, American their aspirations for a better life. It to reduce their ecological footprint in journalist, 1908-1965: ‘The means integrating economic and their own lifestyle and land use. obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it environmental considerations in policy Sustainability also means recognizing 1 seems, takes a little longer.’” and decision-making. A key concept the county’s role in the larger world. For related to sustainability is managing example, sustainability is threatened by “Well, we have waited too growth without depleting the natural global climate change, and Kaua‘i must long already, so let’s design environment. reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and build a ‘Self-sufficient Many feel the island is near or at and adapt in ways that are sensitive to and Sustainable Kaua‘i for carrying capacity with regard to the environment. Local sustainability the people of Kaua‘i.’ And resources, such as parks, roads, efforts are strengthened by statewide yes, we not only can be a and public infrastructure. there is initiatives and partnerships. In 2008, model for the rest of the also concern that Kaua‘i’s natural the Hawai’i 2050 Sustainability Plan was state, country, and world, resources and ecosystems are being finalized. In 2014, the county became we SHOULD BE, we owe it irreversibly stressed or depleted. a signatory of the Aloha+ Challenge, to our children and future Addressing these issues sustainably a statewide commitment to achieve generations!” means frankly assessing the existing integrated sustainability conditions and identifying the tools goals by 2030. the and resources available to provide for program’s priorities their sustainable use and protection include clean energy, local into the future. food production, natural there is a common desire to manage resource management, or limit growth, visitor traffic, and waste reduction, smart development on Kaua‘i. there is sustainable communities, agreement that growth should and green workforce be concentrated around existing and education. the centers to promote efficiencies in general Plan’s sectors and performance measures 1 Our Common Future: Report of the align with and support World Commission on Environment and Develop- Kaua’i Kakou art contest entry by aaliyah cadiente-Nu- ment, 1987 these priority areas. mazawa of Wilcox Elementary School. 1.3 VisioN aNd goals | 1.0 VisioN, Goals, & Policies for THE future 33 ONLINE VERSION ONLINE VERSION GOAL #2: A UNIQUE AND BEAUTIFUL PLACE Kaua‘i’s people share responsibility, or kuleana, to care for and protect treasured resources, traditions, and qualities of the natural, built, and human environment. Kaua‘i’s natural ecosystems, coupled “For the benefit of present and Community Voices with its multi-ethnic culture, are future generations, the State and its “The land is chief. We are what make Kaua‘i truly unique. political subdivisions shall conserve but stewards of the land. these qualities and features are and protect Hawai‘i’s natural beauty If we take care of the land, irreplaceable and exist nowhere and all natural resources, including the land will take care of us. else in the world, and therefore land, water, air, minerals and energy All in the community must deserve protection in perpetuity. sources, and shall promote the take into consideration how Specific examples include endemic development and utilization of these important it is to take only and endangered species, historic resources in a manner consistent what one needs; to share, structures, archaeological sites, with their conservation and in if there is abundance; cultural traditions, beliefs, practices, furtherance of the self-sufficiency of to combine resources stories, and legendary places (wahi the State. All public natural resources whenever possible; to pana). are held in trust by the State for the contribute one’s talents benefit of the people.” there is a legendary belief that and capabilities in the applying traditional Hawaiian Many of these resources are under spirit of shared kuleana concepts of resource management, private or shared management (responsibility).” such as the ahupua‘a system, can between different levels of help to develop and support a government. the general Plan culture of stewardship on Kaua‘i. identifies those resources and In addition, there is a recognition qualities in need of stewardship, of the need to protect the public identifies issues and challenges, and trust resources provided special sets forth policies that strengthen, protection in article 11.1 of the uphold, or support their protection. Constitution of the State of Hawai‘i, the Heritage Resources Sector which states: identifies special resources in need of protection. Waimea Canyon, Waimea-Kekaha district 34 KAUA‘I COUNTY GENERAL PLAN ONLINE VERSION ONLINE VERSION GOAL #3: A HEALTHY AND RESILIENT PEOPLE We seek to increase the resilience and vitality of Kaua‘i’s communities and promote better health outcomes through improving the natural, built, and social environment. Community Voices Health is a state of complete to renewable energy sources rather physical, mental