Collective Kuleana Water Management Project

Water management on Kaua‘i is fraught with historical grievances, fragmentation, and gaps between key stakeholders that prevent implementation of solutions. We propose an island-wide stakeholder engagement process that includes listening, educating, and building consensus between key stakeholders. Listening: we will meet with diverse stakeholders to hear their needs and ideas around water management, including landowners, government agencies, businesses, community members and cultural practitioners. Education: we will produce and disseminate information about how people can stay engaged with and support our water systems, including school-based programs. Consensus building: Using cultural and scientific tools, we shift perspectives towards shared goals and a collective kuleana mindset where we decide, implement, and build capacity to address water issues in a collaborative manner. This system can then be applied to other issue areas as well.