Hawaii Sea Grant College Program Extension and Outreach Efforts: Kauai Shoreline Setback Ordinance Amendments

Kauai's primary regulatory codes related to coastal zone management and shoreline development have not undergone a review and administrative amendments for 20 years. Some of the rules are inconsistent with current standards and policies related to beach protection and conservation. The University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program (Hawaii Sea Grant) provided scientific support and policy review of the proposed ordinance amendments at the request of the Kauai County Council. The objective of the rule amendments are to improve the existing shoreline setback requirements and utilize modern scientific and coastal management principles in the development of a more conservative approach to siting coastal development with respect to known coastal hazards. This will in turn improve coastal communities' resilience to coastal hazards. A primary component of this effort is to improve the rules governing the shoreline setback area land use regulation through the prohibitions of inappropriate land use practices and increased enforcement options for the County Planning Department.