About the Project

SSFM prepared the Lihue Community Plan to articulate a vision and policies for a revitalized and vibrant Lihue Town Core, as well as for Puhi, Hanamaulu, and other nodes in the Lihue Planning District.

Development of the plan included technical studies of existing conditions, cultural resources, demographics, transportation and connectivity, public services and infrastructure, housing, growth scenarios, and areas of change. The community provided input through open houses, surveys, and a public web site. SSFM’s management of the process ensured that deliverables from technical studies to community meetings were thorough and timely.

The vision articulates the community’s desire to create walkable, compact residential and commercial centers, each with a distinct identity and sense of place. The plan balances open space protection with accommodating future growth in designated “Areas of Change.” An urban edge boundary delineates future growth while maintaining the Island’s rural character. The plan provides for multimodal connectivity between centers through bus, bicycle, and walking accommodations.

The County of Kauai has progressively embraced planning best practices for smart growth, walkable communities, complete streets, place-based zoning, and sustainability. This Lihue Community Plan reflects these best practices and the County Council adopted the Plan in 2015.