Naturally Kiawah Magazine Volume 32 | Page 15

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 12