How to Get Involved:

We value your input in shaping the future Kaua‘i Community Correctional Center! The Draft Site Selection Report is now available, published on January 29th, 2025. Your thoughts and feedback are important to us, and we encourage you to share them by February 25th, 2025. Here are several ways to get involved and make your voice heard:

1. Use the interactive modules below to review and comment.
2. Submit your comments to the project team via the contact info below.
3. Submit comments and questions to the Project Team using the contact form.

Site Selection Process:

The process of finding a new site for the KCCC facility will involve careful consideration of site characteristics and community needs. While the size of the facility, level of access, location, and other factors are important in the evaluation process for the potential sites, proper consideration must also be given to the needs and desires of Kaua‘i residents.

The sites selected for evaluation were identified though a comprehensive effort to evaluate a subset of both public and privately owned lands in Kaua‘i. The approach to selecting a new site can be reviewed in section 2.2 of the Draft Site Selection Report which can be found at the bottom of this webpage here.

The Selected Sites:

Below is a map showing the Alternative Sites currently under evaluation.
Please provide your comments or suggestions on the module below

Alternative Sites

Site #1 - The Existing KCCC

KCCC has been operating at its current location since 1977. The facility has since expanded with add-on structures and is now a 128-bed facility designed to house both male and female inmates. For years, KCCC has faced several challenges, including:

1. It is within the “Extreme Tsunami Evacuation Zone” which significantly increases the resources necessary to safely and securely evacuate inmates in the event of an emergency.
2. The facility has repeatedly experienced flooding after heavy rain events.
3. The Department of Transportation plans to expand the nearby Kūhiō Highway which will result in a significant loss of land.

Site #2 - Adjacent Parcel Along Kuhio Highway

Site #2 is located less than ¼ mile south of the existing KCCC. The property has about 8 acres of developable land and is owned by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). Its close proximity to the existing KCCC makes this site advantageous as it would minimize the impacts to facility operations and improve access to support services during the transition. Drawbacks of Site #2 – it is within the “Extreme Tsunami Evacuation Zone” and flood zone, the size of the lot would limit future expansion (if required), and it will eventually be impacted by the expansion of Kūhiō Highway.

Site #3 - Adjacent Parcel Along Kuhio Highway

Site #3 is located less than ¼ mile west of the existing KCCC. The property is estimated to have 7 acres of developable land and is owned by the DLNR. The site’s proximity to the existing KCCC is advantageous as it would minimize the impacts to facility operations and improve access to support services during the transition. Site #3 has drawbacks in that it is also within the “Extreme Tsunami Evacuation Zone” and flood zone. Additionally, the size of the lot is limited which could hinder future expansion (if required).

Site #4 - 4590 Ma'alo Road Preferred Alternative

Site #4 is located about 2.5 miles north of the Līhu‘e town center and is part of a larger parcel owned by Grove Farm. Site #4 has been identified as the “Preferred Alternative Site” due to the following advantages:

1. A new KCCC at this location could potentially result in better integration with the community by collaboration with the youth drug treatment center, work furlough to nearby farms and industrial businesses, and development of community spaces.
2. The site is not located within the Tsunami Evacuation Zone or a flood zone.
3. The topography creates a natural buffer from the nearest community.
4. The close proximity to the Līhu‘e town center provides quicker access to support services.
5. An approximate 20 to 30 acres of readily developable land would allow for future expansion (if required).

The drawbacks of Site #4 include the need to subdivide and rezone the parcel, as well as the proximity to the nearest residential neighborhood of Hanamaulu.

Site #5 – Along Kamuali‘i Highway in Puhi

Site #5 is located about 3.5 miles west of the Līhu‘e town center and it is part of a larger parcel owned by Grove Farm. A new KCCC at this location could potentially result in better integration with the community by providing work furlough to the nearby Kaua‘i Humane Society, Kauai Community College and the Kaua‘i Nursery & Landscaping company. The size of this parcel, which is estimated to consist of 20 to 30 acres of readily developable land, would make this site advantageous for future expansion (if required). The drawbacks of Site #5 include the need to subdivide and rezone the parcel, higher construction costs associated with grading the existing gullies, and the proximity to the existing residential neighborhoods and educational facilities.

Site #6 – Along Kamuali‘i Highway in Puhi

Site #6 is located about ¾ mile south of the existing KCCC. The property is estimated to have 20 to 30 acres of developable land and is owned by the Grove Farm. Its close proximity to the existing KCCC makes this site advantageous as it would minimize the impacts to facility operations and improve access to support services during the transition. Additionally, the size of the parcel is advantageous for potential future expansion (if required). The drawback of Site #6 is that a portion is within the “Extreme Tsunami Evacuation Zone”.

Site #7 – Lele Road

Site #7 is located near the Port Allen Airport and it is approximately 18 miles west of the Līhu‘e town center. The property is estimated to have 17 acres of developable land and owned by the DLNR. The size and existing topography of the parcel are advantageous for development, but the drawbacks are it is within the “Tsunami Evacuation Zone” and flood zone. In addition, the site is located far from support services which could impede operations and may affect public safety.

Site Evaluation Matrix

A Site Evaluation Matrix was created to apply a score to the potential alternative sites. Scoring criteria included factors such as the physical characteristics and ownership of the parcels level of access to support services, the availability of utilities, and the cost/viability of development. For each criterium, a score between “0” and “5” was applied. These scores were then tallied to provide an objective basis to identify the top candidate sites. Based on the findings of the initial Draft Site Selection Report, Site #4 scored highest as a potential site for the Kaua‘i Community Correctional Center.

Scores based on site selection criteria:
Site Score Ranking
Site #4: 103 – Preferred Alternative
Site #5: 96
Site #2: 83
Site #3: 83
Site #1 Existing Site: 82
Site #6: 78
Site #7: 75