The Hanalei Initiative | Community-Based Initiatives on Kauai’s North Shore

By Stephenie Brown

Within minutes of meeting with The Hanalei Initiative Executive Director, Joel Guy, I am feeling excited and joyful. Joel’s passion for the North Shore of Kauai’s community is electrifying. He has been a close friend for many years and I am so immensely proud of the good work he has been and is doing for our delicate community. As children growing up living and loving on Kauai’s North Shore, who better than we to ‘malama’ or care for our home?

The Hanalei Initiative is a 501c(3) organization whose mission is to enhance the cultural, economic, and community development of the North Shore of Kauai by seeking solutions to support the capacity of community-based and community-driven projects for the well being of the community and its environment.

Current Program Areas Sponsored by the Hanalei Initiative

North Shore Shuttle Program: Providing a shuttle system that serves Kauai’s North Shore from Kilauea to Ke’e. The shuttle currently transports seven days a week reducing the number of daily visitors from 2,000 to a little more than 400. This important program helps alleviate traffic over the many one lane bridges and through residential areas.

Community Projects: Providing Park maintenance to improve and maintain parking lots. Also assists the community to improve its environment. Fundraised monies and community volunteers have helped rebuild the Hanalei Bay Pavilion and the Waioli Park Playground.

The Hanalei Initiative is part of the regenerative-travel movement plan mapped out by tourism officials, protecting the island’s natural resources, and nurturing Native Hawaiian culture. They pride themselves on being community-led and government supported.

We are so grateful for the positive impacts that the Hanalei Initiative has provided our North Shore.

To learn more about the Hanalei Initiative, visit their website at: www.hanaleiinitiative.org