Kaua’i County holding series of community meetings about future of island’s water

The Kauaʻi Department of Water is hosting a series of community meetings later this month to discuss the future of the island’s water systems.

The sessions come after a recently completed Water Systems Investment Plan – a comprehensive island-wide water system study aimed at improving Kauaʻi’s water infrastructure.

“We’re focused on building a resilient water system that meets the needs of our customers today and for future generations,” said Joe Tait, Manager and Chief Engineer at DOW. “But we can’t do that alone. These meetings are a chance for customers to share their perspectives, ask questions, and help shape investments that will impact their local communities.”

The Department of Water currently operates and maintains 425 miles of waterlines, 50 wells, 60 tanks, and over 3,000 hydrants across the island. Many parts of the system date back more than 100 years, highlighting the need for strategic investments to ensure safe, reliable water for the future.

The Water Systems Investment Plan is a long-range strategic plan that helps guide decisions on water system upgrades, maintenance priorities, and capital improvement projects across Kauaʻi. It addresses critical needs such as aging infrastructure, climate change impacts, water supply resilience, and projected growth.

“The Water Systems Investment Plan is more than a technical document—it’s a roadmap for investing in the island’s most vital natural resource: water,” Tait said. “The plan outlines how and where we should prioritize funding and projects to responsibly manage resources.”

Residents are encouraged to attend an in-person meeting in their community. Meetings will begin next week and listed below:

• South Kauaʻi – Kalāheo, Lāwa‘i, ‘Ōma‘o, Kōloa, Po‘ipū
  • Kōloa Neighborhood Center, 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23
• East Kauaʻi – Wailua, Kapaʻa and Anahola
  • Kalukalu at 1624 (Old Otsukaʻs Building in Kapaʻa), 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24
• North Shore – Kīlauea, Kalihiwai, ‘Anini, Hanalei, Wainiha, Hā‘ena
  • Kīlauea Elementary School Cafeteria, 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25
• West Kauaʻi – Kekaha, Waimea, Hanapēpē, ‘Ele‘ele
  • Waimea Neighborhood Center, 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29
• Līhuʻe – Puhi, Līhu‘e, Hanamā‘ulu
  • Līhuʻe Neighborhood Center, 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30

For more information on the community meetings, visit the Department of Water website, or contact the Department of Water at 808-245-5455, or publicrelations@kauaiwater.org.