Top Issues :
1) Strengthening the Planning Department to better manage growth on Kauai
2) Supporting and expanding affordable housing opportunities, increasing funding for this by increasing property taxes on resorts, timeshares and second-homes
3) Preserving beach and trail access, clarifying shoreline setbacks, then enforcing shoreline setback regulations, preserve undeveloped coastlines
4) Addressing solid waste disposal challenges (including expanded recycling efforts)
5) Creating a sustainable Kauai ñ through the synergistic implementation of initiatives to deal with solid waste and sewage, increase the use of alternative energy resources, protect the environment, and increase food self-sufficiency.
6a) Protect and Preserve our precious environment
6b) Preserve water resources and protect water quality
Other Important Issues :
a) Supporting and expanding efforts to utilize alternative fuels, alternative energy resources for electricity generation, support efforts to increase energy efficiency and conservation; research and test all alternative energy resources : hydropower, solar hot water, photovoltaic installations, wind power, wave power, biomass to energy plants, noncrop biofuels, fuel cells.
b) expanding bus service to help residents impacted by high gas prices (and support company shuttle services for employees (for large employers like hotels, PMRF)
c) increasing impact fees on resort developments to help fund the needed infrastructure improvements in roads and sewage systems the these projects will require
d) Increasing openness in County Government decision making and adhering to Sunshine Law rules and making County Attorney opinions on matters of law available to the public.
e) Increase economic diversification; support the development of new businesses in diversified agriculture, aquaculture, high tech; support small business.
f) Preserve agricultural lands and open space; increase farming and food self-sufficiency
g) Utilize growth management strategies
To better align growth with community development plans and the General Plan
Restrict the number of new visitor units allowed to be built annually to what is called for the in County General Plan and to enact into law the ideas in the Responsible Government Charter Amendment
Fight for the enactment of the Use or Lose it bill (Sunset provision for zoning approvals) that would require developers to start construction on an approved project within five years of receiving their permits ñ or having their permits revoked.
Find effective methods to respond to the impact of increased second-home demand on the availability of affordable housing for residents
h) It is also important to acknowledge the reality that many problems will only be successfully dealt with through a combination of county, state, and federal government resources. It is vital to Kauaiís future for the Council to work cooperatively with Kauai’s State Senator, State Representatives, and Hawaii’s Congressional team.
i) Increasing services for youth, and programs to reduce domestic violence and child abuse, and programs to reduce drug abuse
j) Improving quality and increasing quantity of Recreational Facilities and Beaches, Parks, Neighborhood Centers, Sports facilities; completing the Kauai Coastal Path.