(Honolulu, HI) – After two years, the County of Kaua‘i and the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program (Hawai‘i Sea Grant) developed a framework that aims to help Kauaʻi’s communities to prepare more effectively and in turn better support recovery following natural disasters. The framework also includes  building back safer and more resilient communities. The resulting written guidelines for disaster recovery operations were formally adopted by the Kaua‘i County Council in September, 2025.    

With guidance from the County Recovery Working Group and Stakeholder Advisory Group, comprised of representatives from over 40 departments and organizations led by the Office of the Mayor, Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency, Kauaʻi County Planning Department, and the Office of Economic Development, the County of Kauaʻi Pre-Disaster Recovery Framework was developed to guide disaster recovery operations after the next disaster. 

“This framework represents the power of preparation and collaboration,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. “When disaster strikes, recovery does not begin with the first response. It begins with the relationships, planning, and trust we built long before. I am deeply grateful to our partners at Hawai‘i Sea Grant, our County departments, and our community organizations for helping Kaua‘i be ready to recover stronger, safer, and more resilient than ever.”

Ruby Pap, the Kauaʻi coastal land use extension specialist with Hawai‘i Sea Grant who led the project, noted “This effort has been monumental for our island’s ability to recover in a more efficient, equitable, and resilient way. Before the Pre-Disaster Recovery Framework was completed, the County only had a framework for disaster response, but we know that recovery issues are vast, cut across jurisdictional and agency lines, and can take months to years to resolve. This framework establishes a recovery management organization with clear kuleana for County and State government departments as well as other non-profit organizations that are involved with recovery. It will help to facilitate better working relationships within the recovery community, better relationships between government and communities, more resilient rebuilding, and will result in a more holistic view of disaster recovery.” 

Preparing in advance for disaster recovery is critical, and this is the first set of written guidelines in Kauaʻi that have been developed to guide the actions and decision-making for recovery and redevelopment post disaster. Importantly, the guidelines recognize that effective disaster recovery requires the entire community to be involved, including numerous state and local governments, the utilities, nonprofit organizations, and community members. For example, as part of this project, ʻĀina Alliance, a non-profit community-based organization in Anahola, conducted disaster recovery community visioning exercises with the Anahola community, which culminated in the “Building Back Better: Pre-disaster Framework for Anahola, Kauaʻi” report. Their process can serve as a model for other communities to follow across the island.

In past years Kaua‘i has experienced devastating island-wide tropical cyclones, wildfires, flooding, high surf, and wave events. With the changing climate, the risk of natural disasters is increasing. The Kaua‘i County Council recognized these current and increasing threats, and the importance of the Pre-Disaster Recovery Framework, through the passage of Resolution 2025-36 titled “Resolution Adopting the County of Kauaʻi Pre-Disaster Recovery Framework” on September 24, 2025. 

Tetra Tech, Inc. provided consultant support for the project, which was funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s (NOAA) Office of Response and Restoration and NOAA National Sea Grant Office. 

For more information and to view the report, please visit  https://www.kauai.gov/Government/Departments-Agencies/Emergency-Management-Agency/Kaua%CA%BBi-Pre-Disaster-Recovery-Framework-2025.

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The University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program is part of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s prestigious School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. It supports an innovative program of research, education, and extension services directed to increasing sustainability of coastal and marine resources and resilience of coastal communities of the state, region, and nation. Science serving Hawai‘i and the Pacific since 1968. 

Hawai’i Sea Grant is one of 34 Sea Grant programs across the nation supported by NOAA.