low tide or high tide. Life continues much as it did in
the “early days.” Kiawah is still made up of full-time
residents, part-time residents and people who rent their
properties as well as those properties managed by the
Resort and various realty companies. And there are
always the tourists who come to visit and often become
property owners. There is evidence that the mean age of
owners is getting younger and younger.
Of course, no one can predict the future—weather,
Johns Island development, new roads, build out, another
transfer of ownership by the developers… The list goes
on if one wants to fret over the unknown. There is every
reason, however, to suggest that the future of Kiawah
Island is bright—better than ever. After all, Kiawah has
been lauded as the “happiest seaside town,” one of the
best beaches in the world, a Class A tennis retreat and the
home of some of the country’s best golf courses. These
accolades doubtless make the residents proud and boost
the property values of all concerned. The real test of the
future, however, will be in what kind of Kiawah we leave
to our children and our grandchildren. Will the original
lure of a pristine beach and balancd ecosystem still
attract? Twenty years from now will we continue to be
kept awake at night by the endless call of the chuck wills
widow? What about Turtle Patrol? Who can forget the
sight of a newborn fawn or bobcat kittens playing in the
thicket? Will our white millet bird feeders still attract the
incredibly beautiful painted buntings, and can we continue
to watch our bluebirds work tirelessly to hatch and feed
those little fledglings that flit out from the nest ready for
life? Will our memories of Kiawah be the same memories
for those who follow us? As the members of the Kiawah
community, we are the stewards of the Island, and our
purpose is to take care of this special place for the
future. n
Deed to Kiawah Island dated 1728 (Donated to Kiawah Conservancy archives by Betty Stringfellow)
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