HANALEI — A nonprofit organization with deep roots in the North Shore of Kaua‘i is being tasked with administering and distributing a flood mitigation grant.
Hale Halawai ‘Ohana O Hanalei was identified as the administrator of the $7,285,000 grant through the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency (KEMA). The decision, which was announced on Monday by House Majority Leader Rep. Nadine K. Nakamura (District 15), marks the first time the County of Kaua‘i has issued a grant of this size to a nonprofit organization to administer.
Six nonprofits will receive sub-grants from Hale Halawai ‘Ohana O Hanalei as part of the administration process.
Those nonprofits are Hanalei Initiative, Wai‘oli Valley Taro Hui, Waipa Foundation, Limahuli Garden and Preserve National Tropical Botanical Garden, ‘Aina Ho‘okupu O Kilauea and EAO Hawai‘i. The amount of each sub-grant was not disclosed.
“We are immensely grateful to Senate President Ron Kouchi (District 8), House Majority Leader Nadine K. Nakamura and KEMA for their steadfast commitment to addressing the critical issue of flood mitigation in our community,” said Hale Halawai ‘Ohana O Hanalei Executive Director Kati Conant in a statement.
“This grant presents a unique opportunity for our nongovernmental organization network to collaborate and advance flood mitigation efforts to help protect our community. This is critical given the devastation we experienced from the 2018 historic flood.”
The six nonprofits will use grant money to conduct mitigation projects aimed at reducing harm from future flooding through structural and nonstructural actions, interventions and investments in North Shore. The grant money will pay for a wide range of flood mitigation projects, including community education, over the next seven years.
“I’m pleased that funds will be used to clear invasive hau from stream banks, repair ‘auwai and intakes for taro farmers, and develop community-based solutions for the long-term maintenance of our precious streams,” said Nakamura in a statement.
Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami said the chosen groups are well-suited for their roles. He also said he was grateful to the Hawai‘i Legislature for support in providing the money.
“The nonprofit organizations selected to receive the flood mitigation sub-grants have a profound understanding of the challenges faced during and after the historic floods of 2018. I am confident of their expertise and commitment in implementing solutions to address the impacts of climate change,” said Kawakami in a statement.
“Strengthening the resilience of the North Shore will ultimately strengthen the resilience for all Kaua‘i.”
