LIHUE — More than a third, or 35 percent, of Kauai households are very concerned, or somewhat concerned about their ability to pay the next month’s rent or mortgage.
That’s according to the 2025 Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response, or CASPER survey.
The Department of Health, Kauai District Health Office (KDHO) announced on Friday the release of the CASPER survey results. The complete Kauai 2025 CASPER Report can be found online at https://tgilinks.com/4ePpDOX.
From June 23 through 27, KDHO teams conducted door-to-door surveys at randomly selected household across the island. Over the course of five days, survey teams completed a total of 186 interviews, collecting data about Kauai residents’ health, well-being and emergency preparedness.
The CASPER survey is a validated needs assessment methodology developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to rapidly obtain population-based estimates about the health and resource needs of a community, pre- and post-disaster. This report is the eighth CASPER survey conducted on Kauai since 2017.
“This annual survey helps KDHO and our partners do a better job serving our community,” said Kauai District Health Officer Dr. Janet Berreman. “The survey results informs our program planning, our outreach and education, and our priorities.”
During the CASPER survey, Kauai residents were asked about their basic household demographics, emergency supplies, concerns about climate change impacts, infectious disease awareness and concerns, as well as general health and well-being.
The findings indicate that of the 35 percent of people concerned about paying next month’s rent or mortgage is an increase of 15 percent in 2025 to 2024. This aligns with the date collected during the 2020 CASPER a few months into the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Kauai CASPER survey report provides us with detailed point in time data of the circumstances facing Kauai residents,” said Hawaii Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi (District 8, Kauai, Niihau). “I deeply appreciate the Department of Health’s Kauai team for their leadership and commitment to listening to and engaging with the community.”
A point in the CASPER survey report notes that most Kauai households, or 71 percent, are very, or somewhat concerned about federal cuts to the EPA, including safe drinking water, clean air and environmental justice. Similarly, most Kauai households, or 76 percent, are very, or somewhat concerned about federal cuts to CDC, FDA and Medicaid.
“As a lifelong Kauai resident, I know how important it is to ensure that our communities are resilient and prepared,” said Hawaii House Speaker Nadine Nakamura (District 15 Haena Wainiha, Hanalei, Princeville, Kilauea, Anahola, Kealia, Kapaa, and a portion of Wailua, Kawaihau). “Understanding the challenges our residents face is the first step to solving these challenges, whether that be access to emergency supplies, or concerns about climate change, and housing costs. I commend the Department of Health for continuing this important work and ensuring that public policy is grounded in the real experience of our people.”
The survey report states that 81 percent of Kauai households are aware of the recommendation to maintain a 14-day supply of nonperishable food and water, but only 17 percent of households meet it.
Kauai’s annual CASPER surveys have served as an enormous capacity building exercise for the KDHO and partner agencies, with more than 120 staff and volunteers trained in this methodology over the past eight years, while simultaneously increasing local awareness of agencies and services available in our community, according to a press release.
The 2025 survey was conducted with the support of DOH staff from Maui, Oahu and Hawaii Island, contributing to the expansion of this capability statewide and furthering the capacity built during the inaugural Hawaii Island CASPER conducted in May.
For the 2025 Kauai CASPER survey report, visit https://tgilinks.com/4ePpDOX.
Source: The Garden Island