What's Being Discussed

The East and West Kauai Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) are holding a joint meeting on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 2:00 PM. The meeting takes place in person at the Department of Health Conference Room, 3040 Umi St., Lihue, and is also available via Zoom. The meeting is expected to run until 4:00 PM.

The main focus is Hurricane Lowell recovery and support, including:

• Reviewing damage observed around Kauai
• Discussing what role the SWCDs can play in the recovery effort
• Hearing from invited partners about available resources and programs
• Identifying next steps and potential actions

The meeting will also cover regular district business, including staff reports on conservation programs, outreach activities, office updates, and upcoming community events like Project WET (Sept. 25) and the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers Conference (Oct. 2–3).

Decisions Expected

• Nominating and voting on the 2026 Water Conservationist of the Year
• Voting to appoint a new Associate Director for West Kauai (candidate: Rhian Campbell, term ending June 2029)
• Deciding whether to reschedule the 2026 Annual Picnic (East Kauai) and setting a date and location for the Annual Dinner (West Kauai)
• Approving new Cooperator Agreements and Conservation Plans
• Deciding on a structure for upcoming Strategic Planning meetings

Who Should Pay Attention

• Kauai farmers and landowners affected by Hurricane Lowell or interested in conservation programs
• Community members seeking recovery resources after the hurricane
• Volunteers and partners involved in conservation or agriculture on Kauai
• Anyone interested in how local conservation districts support disaster recovery