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Kaua‘i Deciding What to Do With 417 Acres of Land Near Waimea

County of Kauai

West Kauaʻi residents are envisioning a long-term plan for a 417-acre land parcel purchased by the county back in 2019.

The land, referred to as “Waimea 400,” is situated between the towns of Waimea and Kekaha, just mauka of Kaumualiʻi Highway.

So far, some community members have voiced their desire to preserve much of the land located in the “sea-level rise exposure area,” which could be subject to considerable future flooding.

But there are certain areas that can still be utilized for housing, agriculture, recreation and more.

Whatever West Kauaʻi decides will be included in the county’s Waimea 400 Master Plan.

Kaʻāina Hull, Planning Director for Kauaʻi County, says this is an opportunity for Waimea and Kekaha towns to preserve their own sense of identity in the long-term use of these lands.

"So what we're hearing is there's a desire for some types of recreational facilities, such as some sports complexes in this area," Hull said. "There's a definite deep desire to allow smaller farms to be utilized in this area."

"And then indeed some actual sites that are somewhat north, near the urban Waimea town, to have a little bit more additional housing opportunities for local families to address the housing crisis that this part of Kauaʻi and the rest of the state are within," Hull added.

The county reached out to Waimea High School students to come up with design proposals for the land. Designs had to be innovative, considerate of site conditions and most fitting for West Kauaʻi.

The top two proposals will be vetted at a virtual community meeting this Thursday, June 17, at 6 p.m. To register for the meeting or for more information, visit this website.

The winning team proposal includes housing, community gardens, a solar farm, fruit trees, and a BMX bike track. The second-place team included a variety of housing types, sports and recreational facilities, pathways, amphitheater, splash pad, and ideas for economic development for the West Kaua‘i community.

Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi is a general assignment reporter at Hawaiʻi Public Radio. Her commitment to her Native Hawaiian community and her fluency in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi has led her to build a de facto ʻōiwi beat at the news station. Send your story ideas to her at khiraishi@hawaiipublicradio.org.
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