Kauaʻi County more than doubles its pesticide-free parks

Kauaʻi County Parks and Recreation announces expansion of its Pesticide-Free Parks Program, increasing from 3 to 7 county parks and facilities managed without the use of synthetic herbicides.

The program was established in 2019 at the following parks:

• Captain Cook Memorial Park
• Black Pot Beach Park
• Kapaʻa Beach Park

Those parks have been successfully managed more than 6 years without the use of synthetic herbicides. The 4 additional county parks and facilities joined the program effective June 1.

Parks and facilities joining the program are:

• Lucy Wright Park.
• Ching Park (Waimea Neighborhood Park).
• Hōkūlei Park (Puhi residential area).
• Historic County Building.

The expansion reflects the a continued commitment to protecting public health, reducing unnecessary pesticide use in public spaces and investing in chemical-free vegetation management practices.

Furthermore, it marks another important step toward more sustainable park management while supporting the health of residents, park employees, native species, pollinators, waterways and Kauaʻi’s unique environment.

“Our parks are some of the most important gathering places in our community, and we have a responsibility to care for them in ways that are safe and sustainable,” said Kauaʻi County Mayor Derek Kawakami in a county release. “This expansion shows what is possible when we invest in new approaches to maintaining our public spaces and work to lessen our dependence on synthetic herbicides.”

The mayor added that the county appreciates the dedication of its Parks and Recreation team and park maintenance crews in helping move this effort forward.

The county also is supporting a pilot project using weed matting beneath chain-link fences to suppress weed growth.

If succssful, the approach potentially could result in a significant reduction to the need for herbicides, decrease manual weed removal and decrease long-term maintenance demands for park staff.

Officials also recognizes that vegetation management in Hawaiʻi’s tropical environment presents ongoing challenges. The county continues to evaluate and improve alternative maintenance practices as resources allow.

Parks and Recreation crews implemented a variety of alternative weed-management strategies and integrated maintenance practices to reduce the need for herbicides.

While the approaches often require additional planning and labor, they help reduce chemical use in some of Kauaʻi’s most frequently visited public spaces.

Contact Kauaʻi County Parks and Recreation at 808-241-4460 or via email at parks@kauai.gov for additional information.