Kiawah Island Turtle Patrol: First Six Nests Spotted
The Kiawah Island Turtle Patrol has now located six nests so far this season.

The Town is so proud of the devoted resident volunteers that make up the Kiawah Island Turtle Patrol team; keep up the GREAT WORK!

Be sure to check our social media pages every Tuesday for all things turtle. The Town will be sharing pictures, information, and updates from KITP every Tuesday of each week.

Help us protect our turtles by remembering:

  • Never harass, touch or disturb hatchlings or eggs.
  • Take all items with you when you leave the beach (chairs, coolers, trash) and fill in your holes, as these can be significant hurdles for turtles.
  • Lights out for Turtles! May - October, all outdoor lighting facing the beachfront should be turned off from 9 p.m. to dawn. Artificial light (flashlights, cell phone lights, etc.) on our beach can cause nesting females to abandon nesting attempts and disorient hatchlings as they make their way to the ocean. Red lighting is much more sea-turtle friendly, but even red lights should never be shined directly at a nesting female or a hatchling. Free red flashlight filters are available at the Municipal Center.

Each year, nesting efforts are monitored by the Kiawah Island Turtle Patrol, a group of dedicated resident volunteers. Unfortunately, there are no volunteer openings for Turtle Patrol this year. For the 2023 season, a call for volunteers will begin in January 2023. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for season highlights.
Condé Nast Traveler 2022 Readers' Choice Awards
Voting is now open for the Condé Nast Traveler 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards. Once again, both The Sanctuary (Best Hotels & Resorts) and Kiawah Island (Best Islands) are nominated. 
 
And once again, last year, Kiawah Island finished #2 Best Island in the Continental US, just behind Hilton Head. The Sanctuary finished #6 among resorts in the South, behind some of our close competitors (e.g., Montage Palmetto Bluff and The Cloister at Sea Island). This year, let’s all do our part to propel The Sanctuary to pride-of-place among resort hotels in our region for this highly esteemed recognition from one of the world’s most respected travel authorities. 
 
Please take a moment to visit cntraveler.com/vote to quickly register and vote (no subscription required) for both The Sanctuary (Hotels & Resorts) and Kiawah Island (Islands). 
June Primaries
The Charleston County Board of Elections and Voter Registration encourages Charleston County residents to be ready to vote by checking their polling location for the June Primary Election on Tuesday, June 14. The new redistricting maps impacted some residents’ districts and polling locations. The Board of Elections mailed out postcards that should arrive this week with details on the new voting districts and polling locations. 

“There were a lot of changes with redistricting, and it is critical that registered voters check their new district information,” said Board of Elections and Voter Registration Director Isaac Cramer. Citizens can also check this information and view a sample ballot on scvotes.gov. 

Important dates regarding the June 14 Primary: 
  • May 13: Deadline to register to vote in person. 
  • May 15: Deadline to register to vote online. 
  • May 16: Deadline to postmark mail-in voter registration. 
  • May 16: In-person absentee voting begins. 

Citizens who qualify for absentee voting can vote from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Board of Elections Headquarters located at 4367 Headquarters Rd., North Charleston, SC 29405, from May 16 until June 13. Qualifications for absentee voting can be found here: https://www.charlestoncounty.org/departments/bevr/absentee-voting.php

Charleston County’s Satellite Voting Unit (SVU) will also be available for absentee voting for those who qualify at the following locations from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

  • June 1- Otranto Library: 2261 Otranto Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406 
  • June 3 - Wando Library: 1400 Carolina Park Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466 
  • June 6 - James Island Baxter Patrick Library: 1858 S. Grimball Rd., Charleston, SC 29412 
  • June 8 - John's Island Library: 3531 Maybank Hwy., Johns Island, SC 29455 
  • June 10 - St. Paul's Hollywood Library: 5130 SC-165, Hollywood, SC 29449 

Eligible voters do not need to register for a party to vote in a primary but can only vote in one primary or the other, and not both. Resident can chat with a Board of Elections staff member for questions about absentee voting, change of address, or finding your polling location at https://vote.charlestoncounty.org.
Beach Ordinance Reminders
Please be aware of the following ordinances as we approach Memorial Day weekend for your safety and the preservation of our environment. Anyone found in violation could be ticketed, including property owners and visitors. 

Beach Rules

  • Stay off the dunes and use boardwalks.
  • No glass, metal shovels, plastic carryout bags, plastic straws, Styrofoam, balloons, or drones allowed.
  • No overnight storage of beach equipment.
  • Fill in your holes before you leave the beach. 
  • May through October - all outdoor beachfront lighting must be turned off from 9 p.m. to dawn to protect nesting sea turtles.
  • There should be no artificial light on the beach at night, including flashlights (handheld or cellular). 
  • Never approach sea turtles, hatchlings, or nests. 
  • Seasonal leash ordinances are in effect (detailed below).

Leash Ordinance (penalties up to $465)

  • March 16 through October 31, dogs must be on a leash at all times, even in the water, from the western boundary of the Critical Habitat Area (near Beachwalker County Park) to the eastern edge of the Beach Club. View map. Electronic leashes are prohibited, and owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets. 

Violations in progress should be reported immediately so corrective action can be taken. Ordinances are enforced by Beach Patrol (call or text 843-518-2880) and Code Enforcement officers (24-hour hotline 843-259-2137). 
Alligator Safety
Alligators are common on Kiawah, basking on pond edges or lazily swimming in the numerous ponds. The warmer weather of spring triggers breeding activity in alligators. Read the timeline below on what you can expect.

Alligator's mating season begins in May and continues through June. Alligators are more active and mobile and, therefore, more visible around the island. Male alligators participate in mating rituals that announce their presence with a low bellowing sound to attract their mates, slap the water with their jaws, and lift their tails high, causing vibrations through the water.

TOKI Alligator Safety Rules are as follows:

  • STAY AT LEAST 60 FEET (4 CAR LENGTHS) AWAY FROM ALLIGATORS.
  • DO NOT FEED ALLIGATORS.
  • DO NOT CRAB OR FISH NEAR ALLIGATORS.
  • DO NOT THROW USED BAIT OR FISH PARTS BACK INTO THE WATER AFTER FISHING OR CRABBING.
  • DO NOT THROW OBJECTS AT ALLIGATORS OR HARASS THEM IN ANY WAY.
  • KEEP CHILDREN AND PETS AWAY FROM THE EDGES OF LAKES AND PONDS.
  • KEEP OUT OF SECLUDED POND AREAS WHERE ALLIGATORS MAY NEST. FEMALES ARE VERY PROTECTIVE OF THEIR NEST AND YOUNG.

If you encounter an aggressive alligator on Kiawah, please report it to Town Hall by phone (843-768-9166) during regular business hours (8-4). At all other times, please call KICA Security (843-768-5566).
Predicted King Tides for May 2022
A "King Tide" is a non-scientific term used to describe the highest seasonal tides which occur every year. Charleston's average high tide range is about 5.5 ft., but during a King Tide event, it can reach 7 ft. or higher. King Tides are naturally occurring tides that are caused by a spring tide (when the earth, sun, and moon align during a new or full moon, increasing tide ranges) corresponding to the point in the moon's orbit when it is closest to the earth, which is known as perigee.

According to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, we can expect to see King Tides on May 15-18.
TOKI Blood Drive
Save three lives when YOU donate blood with the Town of Kiawah Island and the Blood Connection! Approved donors will receive a $20 e-Gift Card.

The Town has a goal of 27 units, which equals 54 appointments.

Date: May 26
Time: 12 PM to 5 PM
Location: 4475 Betsy Kerrison Parkway

Appointments are encouraged to ensure donors receive the best customer service; however, walk-ups are welcome. Help the Town reach its goal by scheduling an appointment today!

Click here to fill out the pre-registration questionnaire.

Click here to schedule your appointment.
Trash Service Change Notice for May
Starting the first Monday of May (5/2), trash pickup will now be twice a week for those enrolled in this service. Solid waste will now be collected every Monday/Tuesday, and Friday of each week.
Memorial Day Closing
The Town's Municipal Center will be closed Monday, May 30, in observance of Memorial Day.
Previously Mentioned
Upcoming Committee Meetings
Town Council Budget Public Hearing - May 25 | 12:45 p.m.
Ways and Means Committee - May 25 | 1 p.m.
Arts and Cultural Events Council - June 2 | 2 p.m.
Town Council - June 7 | 2 p.m.
Planning Commission - June 8 | 3 p.m.

Procedures
  • Town Council meetings are always live-streamed on the Town's YouTube channel. Other committees that conduct their meetings in person where the public can attend are not live-streamed.

  • Agendas are available here and will reference the meeting's location. Dates, times, and locations sometimes change. Before planning to attend a meeting, check our website.
(843) 768-9166