Hawaiʻi Law Requires A&B to Prepare EIS, Not DLNR

East Maui Water. Maui Now file image.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources released a statement today saying it has received numerous comments from concerned members of the public regarding the Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice for a water lease in East Maui filed by Alexander & Baldwin Inc. and East Maui Irrigation Company, Limited.

“The overwhelming majority of comments requested that DLNR conduct the EIS instead of the private applicant. However, pursuant to Section 343-5(e), Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes, when an applicant proposes an action that requires the approval of an agency, the agency must require the applicant to prepare the EIS,” according to the DLNR statement.

DLNR officials say they encourage public participation in the environmental review process on this important matter.

In order to ensure that any comments are reviewed and considered in the environmental review process, the public is asked to also submit their comments in writing to the following party:

Wilson Okamoto Corporation
Attn: Mr. Earl Matsukawa AICP
1907 S. Beretania Street, Suite 400
Honolulu, Hawaii 96826
[email protected]