Kaumakani, a name that translates from the Hawaiian language as “place in the wind,” is a former sugar plantation camp founded in the late 19th century on the island of Kauai. Kauai, known as the Garden Isle because of its lush landscapes, is the fourth largest of the Hawaiian Islands and has served as the backdrop of numerous films, including Jurassic Park and Avatar. Kauai is home to less than 5 percent of Hawaii’s people, and the population of Kaumakani—around 720 people—is less than 1 percent of Kauai’s. Can a Historic Kauai, Hawaii, Community Modernize without Losing What Makes It Unique? On any given day, nearly one-third of the people on Kauai are tourists. They have no lasting stake in Kauai’s future, but their connection to Hawaii’s major economic driver can slant the island’s power dynamics, stifling the voice of Kauai’s permanent population. A small rural settlement such as Kaumakani is especially vulnerable. That’s one reason the planning department for the County of Kauai uses maps and GIS technology to help protect Kaumakani’s unique character. A survey of the area in 2022 148 Rural communities in Kauai are under increasing development pressure.
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