Kauai County and the state of Hawaii have purchased high-resolution satellite images from DigitalGlobe for more effective digital mapping in the state. The imagery of Kauai County and the infamously rainy Waimea Canyon will allow local, state and federal entities to more effectively pursue flood plain mapping projects and disaster mitigation initiatives in the state.

The two foot resolution conforms to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's base map specifications for accuracy and distributability for Digital Floodplain Insurance Rate Mapping (DFIRM). The satellite imagery will give local, state and federal agencies access to data about terrain in parts of the islands that was previously hard to access and survey by normal means. The DFIRM data will provide planning departments and insurance companies with valuable data with which to decide where to build new buildings and communities and how much to charge for ensuring structures.

Many mapping experts traditionally rely on aerial photography from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for their imagery needs. DigitalGlobe's imagery differs from the USGS DOQQ in that it has a higher resolution, more image options and multiple projection options.

Kauai County, and the state of Hawaii shared the cost to purchase the four-band multispectral, pan-sharpened imagery. It includes coverage of the entire island of Kauai, as well as an area around the island that illustrates bathymetric data, coral reef mapping and other features.

The imagery also allows Kauai County to begin a GIS program that will benefit state and local government in more ways than just planning and insurance risk assessment.