Living On Kauai

Sustainability on Kaua'i


Our Why





Kaua‘i is one of the most beautiful places on Earth—but it’s also one of the most vulnerable. We import over 85% of our food, rely on a single landfill that’s past capacity, and see local families pushed out by a cost of living they can’t keep up with. Sustainability isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a survival issue. It’s about food security, clean energy, affordable homes, and keeping our communities intact. It’s about protecting the ʻāina and the people who have cared for it for generations. We need systems that regenerate, not deplete. We need policies that support locals, not displace them. We need to move from a linear model of living to a circular one—where waste becomes resource, and community becomes the solution.



Our Vision





We envision a community that stands up for a sustainable Kaua‘i. That includes food security, renewable energy, regenerative tourism, affordable housing for local families, and waste systems that protect our land and waters. It means building a future where local culture, community, and environment thrive together.​




Landfill Crisis



How do we plan for the future?





​Kaua‘i is confronting a critical waste management crisis centered around its sole landfill in Kekaha. The Kekaha Landfill, operational since 1953, is nearing its capacity. About 250 tons of waste enter the landfill daily and current permits do not allow the landfill to operate beyond November 2027. A new landfill site has not been established which means we need significant and immediate intervention.



Contributing Issues


Short-Term Measures: Vertical Expansion To address the immediate capacity issue, the County of Kaua‘i is implementing a vertical expansion of the existing landfill. This expansion aims to increase the landfill's height by 50 feet, extending its operational life by approximately three years, potentially until 2030. However, this is a temporary solution that does not address the underlying challenges of waste management on the island.


Long-Term Challenges: Siting a New Landfill Efforts to establish a new landfill have encountered significant obstacles. A proposed site near the existing Kekaha Landfill has faced strong opposition due to environmental and community concerns. Critics argue that the location is in a low-lying area prone to flooding, which could lead to contamination of nearby aquifers and spring waters. Additionally, the proximity to residential developments raises concerns about air quality and odor.


Environmental and Community Concerns: The Kekaha Landfill has a history of environmental issues, including the disposal of hazardous materials such as pesticides and asbestos. Groundwater monitoring has revealed elevated levels of arsenic, raising alarms about potential health risks. Community groups, particularly those representing Native Hawaiian populations, have voiced concerns about the disproportionate environmental burden placed on West Kaua‘i residents.


The Urgent Need for Sustainable Solutions The situation underscores the urgent need for sustainable waste management practices on Kaua‘i. Diversion strategies, such as curbside recycling and composting, could significantly reduce the volume of waste entering the landfill. Implementing these measures requires coordinated efforts from local government, businesses, and residents. In summary, Kaua‘i's landfill crisis is a multifaceted issue involving environmental, community, and logistical challenges. Addressing it will require both immediate actions to manage current waste and long-term strategies to ensure sustainable waste management for the future.



Key Takeaway



Besides Hawaiʻi's Sustainability Priority Guidelines and Principles, the State of Hawaiʻi also published the Hawaiʻi 2050 Sustainability Plan through Act 8, Special Session Laws of Hawaiʻi 2005, as amended by Act 210, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi 2006. Hawaiʻi's 2050 Sustainability laws directed the review of Hawaiʻi's State Planning Act and other fundamental concepts of community planning, specifically, many quality-of-life issues, including water quality, air quality, land use, energy, and ocean resources that are important to the people of Hawaiʻi and should be the focus for planning Hawaiʻi's future. The State of Hawaiʻi has also enacted many other sustainability laws and goals, which this program will organize to ensure coordination and awareness across state agencies.



What Can you do to Help?



Spread the Word



Awareness of the issue is the first step toward change



Be Involved



Participate in active solutions. Beach clean ups, composting, local farming.



Advocate for curbside Recycling



Attend meetings and advocate for curbside recycling.



This Project was done in Part with Leadership Kaua'i