KPAA
History & Projects
Background
In 2002 a diverse group of community leaders from government, business, education, healthcare, social services, and the environment launched KPAA off the back of the 1998–2000 General Plan Update process.
Recognizing the need for island-wide collaboration, the founders envisioned a partnership among government, business, and community to plan and act jointly for greater collective impact. KPAA identified its first priorities in April 2003, hired staff that August, and became a 501(c)(3) organization in December 2004.
Today, KPAA continues the spirit of the founders, seeking out opportunities to collaborate and support efforts for a sustainable future for Kaua’i’s communities, keiki, the ‘āina, and economy. KPAA remains a unique “backbone organization.” Rather than providing direct services, we specialize in convening leaders to solve problems that are too big for any one group to handle.
Origins, Values, Aspirations
Our Scope
Premise
We saw a need for islandwide collaboration to strategically plan, leverage resources, and take action on priority projects for Kauaʻi. A partnership of government, business, and community to jointly plan and implement projects would yield greater results than any one entity working on its own.
Mission
To bring together diverse organizations for collaborative planning and action to achieve targeted community goals. We carry out our mission by fostering creative solutions and aligning efforts among those who shape the direction of our island.
Values
Provide a safe and open forum for dialogue. Base all work in developing island wide capacity and cooperation. Identify and respond to strategic gaps with sustainable and systemic solutions. Ground all work to our local communities, cultures and opportunities.
timeline
1998-2000
The seeds of the organization were sown during the Kaua‘i General Plan Update process. Community leaders realized that no single entity could address the island’s complex issues alone.
2002
KPAA was officially launched.
2003
The first CEO and President Dianne Zachary hired. The first “priority issues” were selected by community.
2004
KPAA was officially incorporated as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
2005
First of KPAA’s Kaua‘i’s Community Drug Response Plan series published
2006
Kaua‘i Tourism Strategic Plan 2006–2015 published
2006
First of KPAA’s “Measuring What Matters” community indicators report series published
2010
Defining Successful Ridershare Programs published
2012
The Keiki to Career Kaua‘i initiative was launched. First Kaua‘i Youth Report released.
2014
KPAA served as a key partner in the Kaua‘i Community Health Improvement Initiative
2015
Marion Paul becomes KPAA President and CEO
2019
Kaua‘i Resilience Project launched. This initiative specifically targeted the reduction of youth suicide and the building of “resilience factors” in young people.
2020
Alice Luck becomes KPAA President and CEO
2025
The Early Childhood Education Coordinator trial program successfully sees the position adopted by the County of Kaua‘i
2026
Morgan Hannan becomes KPAA President and CEO