Kapa‘a Public Library
Welcome to the Kapa‘a Library StoryMap site!
Aloha!
Thank you for visiting the Kapa‘a Public Library StoryMap site. By scrolling down, you will learn about what has been researched and discussed about the future of Kapa‘a Public Library.
Your voice will help shape the future planning efforts. Our first survey has been completed and closed. There will be more opportunities to share your ideas in additional surveys and at public meetings. Please stay turned. Thank you.
~Original Plot Plan - July 31, 1953~
Our beloved Kapa‘a Public Library is nearly 70 years old!
When the library opened in 1955, Kapa‘a was much smaller. Also, the world’s climate was cooler and not subject to accelerated sea level rise. To ensure there will be a library to serve the Kapa‘a community, we have started the effort to plan for a new library in a safer location.
~Original Exterior Elevations Plan - July 31, 1953~
The hard fact is that library expansion at the current location is not possible.
Kapa‘a Public Library is one of a few oceanfront public libraries in Hawai‘i. Because of its unique location and due to climate change, the library has a high risk of severe flooding and sea level rise in the future. The Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) wants to ensure that Kapa‘a residents will have access to a more modern library, in a safe location.
~Kapa‘a Public Library Photo from Library Planet~
We need to relocate the library.
This StoryMap reports what steps HSPLS has taken to evaluate alternative sites for a new library and identify the desired location.
We truly appreciate if you can share your thoughts with us when we hold public meetings and post additional surveys!
About the Site
Current Location
The Kapa‘a Public Library is located makai of Kūhiō Highway between Moikeha Stream and the County of Kaua‘i's Kapa‘a Beach Park.
Island of Kaua‘i
Surrounding Land Owners
The current library's property is almost rectangular in shape, and is surrounded on three sides by State lands that are under Executive Order (E.O.) to the County of Kaua‘i for the Kapa‘a (Beach) Park. The fourth, and mauka, side of the site is bordered by Kūhiō Highway.
Future Hazard Impacts
Severe Flooding
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Flood Insurance Rate Map, the Kapa‘a Public Library is in a high-risk area or “Special Flood Hazard Area”. High-risk areas have at least a 1% annual chance of flooding. In other words, severe flooding in the area may occur at least once every 100 years or more frequently.
More specifically, the library is located in an area designated Zone AE, where the Base Flood Elevation is determined to be 7-8 feet. This means the flood water has the potential to rise up to 7-8 feet of elevation.
The map indicates that the library is likely to be affected by inland flooding from the Moikeha Channel and not by flooding from the ocean (Zone VE).
Sea Level Rise
According to the Sea Level Rise Viewer developed by the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System, the Kapa‘a Public Library would not be impacted directly by sea level rise (SLR) of up to 1.1 feet, but would be impacted by SLR of 2.0 feet to 3.2 feet. Any impact from SLR would be worsened during extreme high tides and storm surges during hurricanes.
You can move the center slider on the map to see the difference.
Tsunami
The Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency's Tsunami Aware Map shows that the Kapa‘a Public Library is also located in the Tsunami Evacuation Zone.
Historically, tsunami events have not occurred as frequently as severe inland flooding. However, it would be prudent for the future library to be located inland of the Tsunami Evacuation Zone.
The preliminary site selection process is complete.
The site selection process for the future Kapa‘a Public Library is complete. We inventoried public lands in Kapa‘a and identified possible locations for the future library.
What public lands were identified and compared? And which site is the most suitable for the future library?
We also would like to ask for your thoughts about your desired services and programs at the future library in additional surveys and at public meetings. Please stay tuned.
Site Selection Process
First Step - Site Screening
The actual site screening process for the future Kapa‘a Public Library takes into consideration more than hazard mitigation.
In general, there is very little land between the mountains above Kapa‘a and the shoreline. Of the lower elevation lands, much of it is wetlands or is subject to inland or coastal flooding. Also, within Kapa‘a's developable lands, there is very little State or County lands.
The first screening took into consideration the following criteria.
- On State and County lands
- Proximity to Kapa‘a
- In the developed areas (State Urban Land Use District)
- Not in flood and sea level rise hazard areas
- Not in tsunami evacuation zones, if possible
- Avoid known wetlands and streams
- At least 1 acre of vacant land or open space
- Accessible from main roads or major local streets
- Not steeper than 5% of slope, if possible.
Although there were not many parcels of public lands that met all of the above site selection criteria, a total of 11 sites were reviewed.
Also, the first screening included 3 sites that the State was interested in reviewing. Two of them satisfied the first screening criteria.
Second Step - Comparison of Alternative Sites
The first screened 11 sites were further evaluated at the second refined screening, using the following criteria.
- Developable property shapes and dimensions
- Safe distance from hazard areas, wetlands, and streams
- Compatible with surrounding land uses
As a result of the second screening, there was one site that satisfied all criteria of both the first and the second screenings.
Best Suited Future Library Location
The most suitable site was -
The Site Occupied by Old Physician's House at Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital
Replacement Kapa‘a Public Library Presentation
In evaluating the feedback received during the site selection survey, HSPLS has come up with a draft conceptual plan for a replacement Kapa‘a Public Library located next to the Old Physician’s House at the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital. HSPLS shared this draft conceptual plan at an in-person presentation:
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
5:00pm to 6:30 pm
Kapa‘a Public Library
4-1464 Kuhio Highway, Kapaʻa, HI 96746
If you were not able to attend the Presentation, the conceptual plans will be available for viewing at the Kapa‘a Public Library for roughly two weeks. Comments on the conceptual plans are encouraged, and may be submitted at the Kapa‘a Public Library or by emailing Bradley Furuya from PBR HAWAII at bfuruya@pbrhawaii.com
Conceptual Site Plan
The replacement Kapa‘a Public Library is envisioned to include a combination of:
- Public spaces
- Staff areas
- Community rooms
- Outdoor landscape and learning areas
- Onsite parking
To learn more about these proposed library features and to provide your feedback, please visit the Kapa‘a Public Library during normal business hours.
Please refer back to this website for future project updates.
