Kaua‘i Planning and Action Alliance is pivoting back to its roots in community-based development and islandwide data and strategy.
The 24-year-old nonprofit — with appointment of new president and chief executive officer Morgan Hannan — is refocusing its role as an islandwide convener and capacity building partner for the diverse array of challenges faced by Kaua‘i communities.
Kaua‘i Planning and Action Alliance was originally founded to bring together public, private and nonprofit leaders to address the island’s most critical issues through research and planning.
Its focus throughout the past decade has been on improving social, health and educational outcomes for island youth and families through the Keiki to Career Initiative and the Kaua‘i Resilience Project.
The alliance demonstrated a successful track record in many areas, including reduction of teen suicide rates and establishment of an early childhood education officer for Kaua‘i County.
“As Kaua‘i’s communities face shifting challenges, we want to be able to provide the most responsive, adaptable and impactful support that we can” said Hannan in a recent release from the nonprofit outlining its path forward.
While the youth focused programs will continue, Hannan engaged in a deep listening process with community stakeholders during recent months and thinks it’s time Kaua‘i Planning and Action Alliance returns to its role as a provider of islandwide systemic support and targeted technical expertise.
That role is evident in major works such as Community Indicator Reports used by Kaua‘i County and other agencies to guide planning; the first Kaua‘i Tourism Strategic Plan; and direct action collaborations such as with the group that led reconstruction of Kalalau Trail in 2012.
“Islandwide thinking, local-led solutions” is the approach the alliance will embrace while partnering with a diverse array of business, nonprofits and government agencies to tackle the island’s challenges.
“Kaua‘i is one island but many very different communities, and I believe it’s essential for each community to participate in addressing its specific challenges because lasting change can only happen when local residents, organizations and leaders can define their priorities and design solutions to the issues they know best,” Hannan said. “Because of its history and organizational DNA, [Kaua‘i Planning and Action Alliance] is perfectly positioned to combine long-term, island-scale perspective with locally led action.”
Hannan, who is originally from Sydney, Australia, brings a diverse and international background in community engagement, policy advocacy, place-based planning, regional economics and capacity development for governance and civic organizations.
His professional journey includes running the Green Economy Program of Westminster City Council in central London, providing support to small businesses in adopting more sustainable practices; assisting development of Community Improvement Districts throughout Sydney; and working with Western Sydney local governments to embed a human-centered, public health approach into their municipal urban planning.
He has a masters degree in urban management and Development from Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Hannan’s approach to regional development emphasizes bridging local voices with global best practices, helping communities improve their built environment, supporting sustainable practices across sectors and enhancing the collective impact of nonprofit networks.
“We have a deeply caring community with strong roots and enormous potential for collaborative planning and action,” he said. “It’s an honor to build on the remarkable work of past [Kaua‘i Planning and Action Alliance] leaders and I’m excited to work alongside Kaua‘i’s hundreds of community organizations to build a healthy, thriving and resilient future for our island.”
Before defining the projects that will exemplify the alliance’s work in the months ahead, Hannan is continuing to engage with local leaders and residents to develop an islandwide map of priorities, challenges and opportunities.
Contact him at morgan@kauainetwork.org or by phone at 808-632-2005 to share insights about:
- Kauaʻi’s most urgent islandwide challenges.
- Creative, community-led solutions.
- Who needs to be at the table in designing these solutions.
Visit the Kaua‘i Planning and Action Alliance website for additional information.
