LĪHUʻE PLACEMAKING, FORESTRY & GARDENS INITIATIVE

is a two-year effort to build valued community green spaces in Līhuʻe and develop a shared vision for future ʻāina and community-based projects in Līhuʻe to address food insecurity and environmental degradation.. The project is being spearheaded by the Rice Street Business Association and Better Block Hawaiʻi, with support from the County of Kauaʻi Office of Economic Development. This team is working hand-in-hand with grassroots organizations and local artists to design and implement the project.

Project GOALS

- Establish a community partnership team and develop a shared project vision -

- Host community outreach dinners to ensure we honor resident voices -

- Expand existing and establish new community gardens and farms in Līhuʻe -

- Replace dead/dying street trees and vegetation along Rice Street -

- Work with local artists to install public murals and educational signage -

- Co-create future ʻāina and community-based projects -

RIGHT ON RICE URBAN FARMs

As part of this project, our team supported the development of the Right on Rice (ROR) Urban Farms, a community-agricultural space in Līhuʻe. Prior to this project, community member Sylvia Lessa was singlehandedly removing rubbish and weeds from the site and planting vegetable and cover crop. With the support of Kauaʻi Farm Planning, Sylvia and other community members began to expand the urban farm to include papaya, taro, basil, tomato, eggplant, and much more.

The vision for ROR Urban Farms is to inspire the Līhuʻe community to activate underutilized public spaces, build edible landscapes, promote regenerative agriculture and permaculture practices, and catalyze the development of more urban farms in Līhuʻe.

before

after!

Līhuʻe GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE REPORT

We recently worked with master’s students from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Hawaiʻi to develop conceptual design plans for future garden and public space improvements fronting the Līhuʻe Court Townhomes. The students also identified policies, projects, or programs to promote green infrastructure along Rice Street. Check out the report and learn about the opportunities for green infrastructure in Līhuʻe!

Click here to read the report

RICE STREET COMMUNITY TREES REPORT

Our project partner, Understory Alliance, recently completed the “Rice Street Community Trees Report”. The report summarizes community input and recommendations for the replacing failed or failing plants and trees along Rice Street with combination of native trees and ground cover, non-invasive dwarf food trees, and culturally appropriate herbaceous species. Check out the report and learn about the challenges and opportunities for community forestry in Līhuʻe!