County Receives Transformational Achievement Award

County receives Transformational Achievement Award

The County of Kaua‘i was honored Tuesday at a luncheon hosted by the Hawai‘i Energy Policy Forum (HEPF) on O‘ahu.

The county was presented with a Transformational Achievement Award for the Līhu‘e Town Core Revitalization and Mobility Plan.

The other award recipients included: Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative; International Facility Management Association Hawai‘i Chapter; Hawaiian Electric; Kanu Hawai‘i; and TerViva.

Kaua‘i County was recognized for bringing together more than 30 vital partners to problem solve on a massive, complex issue – how to revitalize a community with aging infrastructure and transform it into a walkable, bikeable and transit-friendly town.

This effort culminated with a $13.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).

Among the major partners that have collaborated on the Līhu‘e project are the Federal Highways Administration; Hawai‘i’s congressional delegation; Gov. David Ige; Hawai‘i departments of Education, Health and Transportation; Get Fit Kaua‘i; Kaua‘i Path; and the Līhu‘e Business Association.

Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. and Kaua‘i County Transportation Planner Lee Steinmetz accepted the award on behalf of the county.

“It was an honor to accept an award for a project that involves numerous organizations and individuals, from Kaua‘i to Washington D.C., all working collaboratively,” said Mayor Carvalho. “I believe that a plan is only as good as the community input that goes into it, and we are very fortunate to have so many partners that truly care about the future of Līhu‘e Town”.

For more information, please go to http://www.hawaiienergypolicy.hawaii.edu/outreach-communication/hawaii-clean-energy-day/2016/transformational-awards-winners.html.