involved in cultural and civic affairs in Charleston. These
traditions continue as people from Kiawah volunteer in
local schools and outreach centers. Residents, both fulltime and part-time, donate money and provide “hands
on” assistance for the Charleston Symphony, the Gibbes
Museum, Habitat for Humanity and other worthwhile
ventures.
In 1988, the Town of Kiawah Island was
incorporated by the State of South Carolina to further
organize the life and commerce of the busy Island. The
mayor and councilmen currently run for office but serve
without compensation. In the same year, the Kiawah
Resort Associates, headed by Charles Darby as president,
purchased the undeveloped property and the Resort
from the Kuwaiti Investment Company. In 1993, after a
brief ownership by the Landmark Corporation, Virginia
Investment Trusts purchased the Resort and its amenities
and continues to manage it under the direction of William
H. Goodwin. In 2004 Kiawah Development Partners
(KDP) broke ground on Freshfields Village. Recently,
Charles Darby’s group sold Kiawah Partners to South
Street Partners of Charlotte, NC. The 2013 transaction
consisted primarily of the undeveloped properties on
the Island and on nearby Cassique. Throughout these
years, Kiawah’s unique position as a barrier island and
its rich habitats attracted numerous scientific studies
featuring painted buntings, loggerhead turtles, bobcats and
bottlenose dolphins, to name a few.
Forty years have passed since people began
coming in large numbers to Kiawah Island. The sensation
one experiences when crossing the causeway over the
Kiawah River has not changed much, however, be it
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