Public Access, Open Space, Natural Resources Preserv. Fund Commission
The Public Access, Open Space, Natural Resources Preservation Fund Commission recommends a biennial list of lands or other property entitlement to be acquired for conservation purposes. These purposes include public outdoor recreation and education, access to beaches and mountains; preservation of historic or culturally important land areas and sites; protection of significant habitats or ecosystems, including buffer zones; preserving forests, beaches, coastal areas, and agricultural lands; protecting watershed lands to preserve water quality and water supply; conserving land in order to reduce erosion, floods, landslides, and runoff; improving public access to, and enjoyment of, public land, and open space; acquiring public access to public land, and open space; conserving land for open space and scenic values; and improving public pedestrian access to coastal areas.
The Commission consists of nine members. Four members are appointed by the Mayor including individuals from the following areas: Waimea – Kekaha; Līhu‘e – Hanamā‘ulu; Kapa‘a – Wailua; and one at-large. Four members are appointed by the County Council including individuals from the following areas: Hanapēpē – ‘Ele‘ele; Kōloa – Po‘ipū – Kalāheo; Anahola to Hā‘ena and one at-large. One member is appointed by the Commission. All members serve staggered three year terms.
For more information about the duties and responsibilities of the Commission, please refer to Kaua'i County Code, Section 6-14.2.
Meeting Time/Location: 1:00pm, Meeting Room 2A/2B, 2nd Thursday of each month
For more information on upcoming meetings, please refer to the calendar on the Boards and Commissions home page.
Open Space Survey
Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund Commission Annual Public Input
Suggest Land or Public Access to be Acquired for Public Benefit
Since the Open Space Fund was established, the County of Kaua‘i’s Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources commission identified multiple sites that the County should consider for acquisition using the Open Space Fund.
Below are the sites successfully obtained or improved using the fund:
- Historic Chinese Cemetery (Pak Hook Tong Cemetery) and Vacant land in Kekaha
- Vacant lot adjacent to Black Pot Beach, now used for Black Pot Beach parking and boat ramp
- Halulu Fishpond Waipa
- Kaumumene Coastal Access (also known as Hideaways Coastal Access)
- Vacant lots in Hanapēpē adjacent to Kauai Kookie and Moi Road
The Commission would like to work more with the community to identify potential properties for acquisition that will assist the County in its Open Space Fund planning.
Please click on the link below to share information about a place or access you would like to see protected or acquired. Each site requires its own submission.
LINK TO SURVEY
If you have any questions, please call the Planning Department at 808-241-4050 or send an email to planningdepartment@kauai.gov
Members
- Shaylyn Ornellas, Chair
- Robin Pratt, Vice Chair
- Manuel Cabral
- Nancy Kanna
- William Kinney
- Jonathan Lucas
- Mark Ono
- Mai Shintani
Agendas
June 12, 2025 Open Space Commission Agenda(PDF, 134KB) Packet(PDF, 2MB)
May 8, 2025 Open Space Commission Agenda(PDF, 157KB) Packet(PDF, 2MB)
April 17, 2025 Open Space Commission Agenda(PDF, 128KB) Packet(PDF, 2MB) (Cancelled due to Lack of Quorum)
March 13, 2025 Open Space Commission Agenda(PDF, 158KB)
February 6, 2025 Open Space Commission Agenda(PDF, 165KB) Packet(PDF, 1MB)
January 9, 2025 Public Access Open Space Commission - Testimony Received by the Planning Department on January 9, 2025(PDF, 709KB)
January 9, 2025 Open Space Commission Agenda(PDF, 147KB)
October 10, 2024 Open Space Commission Agenda(PDF, 145KB) Packet(PDF, 1MB)
August 8, 2024 Open Space Commission Agenda(PDF, 148KB)
Minutes
June 12, 2025 Open Space Minutes - Draft(PDF, 399KB)
May 08, 2025 Open Space Minutes - Approved(PDF, 368KB)
March 13, 2025 Open Space Minutes - Approved(PDF, 409KB)
February 06, 2025 Open Space Minutes - Approved(PDF, 363KB)
January 09, 2025 Open Space Minutes - Approved(PDF, 361KB)
October 10, 2024 Open Space Minutes - Approved(PDF, 306KB)
August 08, 2024 Open Space Minutes - Approved(PDF, 338KB)
Browse & search archived Open Space Commission documents, including agendas, meeting minutes, and more
Archived Reports, Presentations and more
- 2021 Report to the Kauai County Council and the Mayor (PDF, 10MB)
- 2015 Report to the Kauai County Council and the Mayor(PDF, 15MB)
- 2014 Open Space Commission Annual Statis Report(PDF, 203KB)
- 2013 Report to County Council & Mayor(PDF, 5MB)
- 2012 Open Space Commission Annual Status Report(PDF, 140KB)
- 2011 Report to the County Council and Mayor(PDF, 5MB)
- 2010 Report to the County Council and Mayor(PDF, 8MB)
- 2009 Report to County Council & Mayor(PDF, 4MB)
- 2007 & 2008 Report to County Council & Mayor, pages 1-46(PDF, 4MB)
- 2007 & 2008 Report to County Council & Mayor, pages 47-94(PDF, 5MB)
- 2006 Report to County Council & Mayor(PDF, 3MB)
- 2005 Report to County Council(PDF, 7MB)
- August 14, 2014 Presentation by Tom Pierce(PDF, 7MB)
- 2007 Public Input Process Brochure(PDF, 271KB)
- Open Space Commission Ordinance(PDF, 7MB)
Documents
Document Disclaimer
The documents on this webpage are being provided as a courtesy and a public service by the County of Kauaʻi. Users should confirm the accuracy with the official copy available at the Office of Boards and Commissions. While the County of Kauaʻi will strive to keep the information accurate and up-to-date, those people needing an official, accurate and up-to-date copy of documents on this webpage should obtain a hard copy from the Office of Boards and Commissions.
Contact Information
Public Access, Open Space, Natural Resources Preservation Fund Commission
c/o County of Kauai Planning Department
4444 Rice Street, Suite A473
Lihue, HI 96766
Phone: (808) 241-4050
Email: planningdepartment@kauai.gov