#Board of Land and Natural Resources
New lease approved for Kaheawa Wind Power I
The Board of Land and Natural Resources has unanimously approved a new, 25-year lease for Kaheawa Wind Power I, allowing the continued operation of the existing wind energy facility in West Maui.
Wailuku native James Carpio appointed to the Board of Land and Natural Resources
Wailuku native James “Jay” John Kamealoha Carpio has been appointed to the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Governor’s Office announced. His term will run through June 30, 2029. Carpio fills the Maui Nui seat on the seven-member board, which oversees the Department of Land and Natural Resources and makes decisions on land leases […]
State Land Board approves final EIS for Kaheawa Wind 1 continued use for 20 years
The Hawaiʻi Board of Land and Natural Resources has accepted a final environmental impact statement for Kaheawa Wind Power LLC’s application to keep its 20 wind-power generators operating above Māʻalaea for another two decades. In November, the operator of Maui’s oldest wind farm completed a final environmental impact statement as part of its request for a 25-year […]
Kaheawa Wind 1 seeks 20-year lease extension to continue operations above Māʻalaea
The operator of Maui’s oldest wind farm has completed a final environmental impact statement as part of its bid to keep its 20 turbines spinning above Māʻalaea for another two decades. Kaheawa Wind Power LLC is seeking a new 25-year lease from the state Board of Land and Natural Resources to continue generating 30 megawatts […]
Governor’s military land advisory committee announced amid condemnation threat; statewide infrastructure funding eyed
Gov. Josh Green announced Thursday a new advisory committee to guide discussions with the US Army concerning state-leased lands on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island. With the leases set to expire in 2029, the announcement comes as the federal government signals it may pursue condemnation for the continued use of the training lands. The possibility of lands condemnation […]
Legality of Hawai‘i state land board appointees called into question
According to Earthjustice, the board has been conducting business and making decisions without satisfying the required qualifications since one of the board members left in August.
State Land Board advances plan to re-open Hawaiʻi waters to aquarium pet industry
The rulemaking decision — made last week during a regular board meeting — follows a prior board vote to ban reef fish collection along with intense public opposition to the capture and sale of native reef fish, many from West Hawaiʻi waters.
After 15 years, Maui County takes ‘first step’ on Kīhei remnant lot
A longstanding community property issue in South Maui, involving a small remnant road, finally moved forward this week, with the Maui County Council’s Water and Infrastructure Committee advancing a resolution on Monday that multiple members noted was 15 years in the making. The committee, chaired by Council Member Tom Cook of South Maui, unanimously recommended the […]
Hawaiʻi Gov. Green, Secretary of the Army sign non-binding document about military use of state land
The document signed by Gov. Josh Green and Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll reflects a shared understanding about how Hawaiʻi and the Army will discuss protecting lands used by the military, while also supporting national security.
$30K settlement reached for boat grounding at Maui’s Honolua-Mokulē‘ia Bay
The Hawai‘i Board of Land and Natural Resources on Friday unanimously approved a proposed $30,448.67 settlement agreement with Kapalua Kai Sailing, Inc., for the grounding of its vessel, Hula Girl, inside Maui’s Honolua-Mokulē‘ia Bay Marine Life Conservation District, on Jan. 31, 2025.
Hawai‘i Supreme Court sides with East Maui Water advocates in latest opinion
The Hawai‘i Supreme Court on Thursday confirmed that the Board of Land and Natural Resources violated water advocates’ constitutional rights when it permitted Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. to divert fresh water from East Maui streams as part of a renewal of a Revocable Permit.
Army open to new land lease framework; Green insists on ‘Fair Deal’ for Hawaiʻi
Gov. Josh Green announced that his office has received a letter from the US Secretary of the Army, Dan P. Driscoll, signaling a commitment to a new framework for military land leases in Hawaiʻi. The leases involve thousands of acres of land on Oʻahu, and the potential terms could impact housing, environmental cleanup and Native […]
Permits sought for ongoing Kaheawa Wind Power operations in West Maui
State permits are being sought for another 20 years of operations of Kaheawa Wind Power 1, located above the town of Māʻalaea. The 30-megawatt wind farm’s original 20-year power purchase agreement is set to expire in 2026.
Wildfire safety legislation moves ahead in the Senate
The Senate Judiciary and Ways and Means committees have recommended passage of a House bill that would put into state law fire safety recommendations arising from a Hawaiʻi Attorney General investigation of the August 2023 Maui wildfire disaster. The bill has passed second reading and moves on to third reading in the Senate. House Bill […]
Intermediate appeals court rules in archaeological permitting case
The Hawai‘i Intermediate Court of Appeals has issued a finding in favor of appellants in a case involving the Board of Land and Natural Resources and its handling of the state’s archaeological permitting process.
House panel calls for fix of disrepairs at state parks and small boat harbors
The House Committee on Water & Land recommended favorable action Thursday on a bill to give the state Department of Land and Natural Resources more flexibility in responding to repairs and maintenance in state small boat harbors and parks.
Community-built comfort station at Hāʻena State Park gets BLNR approval
In a landmark decision, the land board has approved a nonprofit to plan, design and pay for an entire capital improvement project for the DLNR Division of State Parks. The project will take place at Ha’ena State Park on Kauaʻi.
Bill to require nonresident user fees at state parks and trails clears key Senate panel
The Senate Ways and Means Committee unanimously recommended passage Tuesday of a bill to set user fees only for nonresidents visiting state parks and trails.
House bill advances to speed up historic preservation reviews of development projects
By a 5-2 vote, the House Committee on Housing passed a bill Friday aimed at removing lengthy historic property reviews from delaying housing developments.
Kaua‘i forest bird and seabird recovery and protection programs to move to a joint facility
The cancellation of a decades-long set-aside of land from the state of Hawai‘i to the County of Kaua‘i has paved the way for Kaua‘i’s renowned forest bird and seabird recovery and protection programs to move into a joint facility.
