KPAA releases community
indicators report for Kauai

The Kauai Planning and Action Alliance has just published “Measuring What Matters for Kauai - Community Indicators Report 2006,” which includes findings on 55 indicators in seven areas reflecting the island’s quality of life, resiliency and sustainability. 

The report was underwritten by the Atherton Family Foundation, the Case Foundation, the County of Kauai, Group 70 Fund and the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative. Data were gathered from government agencies, nonprofits, and from a telephone survey of Kauai residents.  Among the many findings in the report:

• More poverty – Between 2000 and 2005, the poverty rate on Kauai rose by 1.3 percent as the annual rate of inflation exceeded increases in annual family income.  In 2000, 77 percent of Kauai families could afford to buy a home; by 2005, that number had dropped to just 40 percent.
• More cars – Kauai has 78,511 registered vehicles for a population of 62,640, while only 88 percent of the population is old enough to drive. Factoring in a daily visitor count of about 19,300, the island still has more than one vehicle per person of driving age. However, from 2001 to 2005 bus ridership increased 13 percent.
• More houses and condos – From 2000 and 2005, 1,359 new lots and CPR units were created on agricultural land and 1,620 new residential lots were created. In the next five years, 5,000 residential units and more than 6,100 resort units that are currently pending could be built. 
• Aloha spirit remains strong – 59 percent of residents feel the island’s aloha spirit is the same or stronger than ever, 63 percent of residents contribute volunteer time and 88 percent donate to charitable causes.

The report includes 28 “opportunities for action” that could be taken by government, business, nonprofits and individuals to keep the trends in line with the General Plan’s community vision. The findings are a snapshot of the island’s progress implementing the 2000 General Plan Update. They provide useful information for government, nonprofit and business decision-makers. 

KPAA says it will report on the indicators every two years in the future to identify island trends.  Click here to download a copy of the report, which includes an eight-page executive summary.