County more than doubles Pesticide-Free Parks Program
LĪHUʻE – The County of Kauaʻi, Department of Parks and Recreation (DOPR), is proud to announce the expansion of its Pesticide-Free Parks Program, increasing the number of County parks and facilities managed without the use of synthetic herbicides from three to seven.
The program was established in 2019 with the designation of three pesticide-free parks:
- Captain Cook Memorial Park
- Black Pot Beach Park
- Kapaʻa Beach Park
These three parks have now been successfully managed without the use of synthetic herbicides for more than six years.
Effective June 1, 2026, four additional County parks and facilities joined the program:
- Lucy Wright Park
- Ching Park (Waimea Neighborhood Park)
- Hokulei Park (Puhi Residential Area)
- Historic County Building
The expansion reflects the County’s continued commitment to protecting public health, reducing unnecessary pesticide use in public spaces, and investing in chemical-free vegetation management practices.
“Our parks are some of the most important gathering places in our community, and we have a responsibility to care for them in ways that are safe and sustainable,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. “This expansion shows what is possible when we invest in new approaches to maintaining our public spaces and work to lessen our dependence on synthetic herbicides. We appreciate the dedication of our Parks and Recreation team and our park maintenance crews in helping move this effort forward.”
DOPR crews have implemented a variety of alternative weed-management strategies and integrated maintenance practices to reduce the need for herbicides. While these approaches often require additional planning and labor, they help reduce chemical use in some of Kauaʻi’s most frequently visited public spaces.
The County is also supporting a pilot project that uses weed matting beneath chain-link fences to suppress weed growth. If successful, this approach has the potential to significantly reduce the need for herbicides, decrease manual weed removal, and lower long-term maintenance demands for County park staff.
The County recognizes that vegetation management in Hawaiʻi’s tropical environment presents ongoing challenges and will continue evaluating and improving alternative maintenance practices as resources allow.
This expansion marks another important step toward more sustainable park management while supporting the health of residents, park employees, native species, pollinators, waterways, and Kauaʻi’s unique environment.
For more information, please contact the Department of Parks and Recreation at 808-241-4460 or parks@kauai.gov.
###
|
