State Weighing Rule Changes for 2 Million Acres

Hawaii Land Use Commission

Looking to build a windmill on your land up in the mountains? Hoping to truck in sand to stem the tide of erosion? These and many other land uses once barred by state law could soon become a reality.

Hawaii rules governing what can and cannot be done in the most protected areas of the islands are up for discussion for the first time in more than a decade. A stringent permitting process still awaits those who apply, but new land uses could be added to the list.

Though the rules [pdf] were last amended in 1994 and the state has been looking at potential changes for years, time is of the essence. The state should strike while the iron is hot, Hawaii Department Land of Natural Resources Office of Conservation and Coastal Land Chief Sam Lemmo told some two dozen citizens at a public meeting at the Kalanimoku Building in downtown Honolulu last week. He said right now he has a "captive administration" — the rule changes have the support of his boss, department Chair Laura Thielen, and the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

"We have a chairperson and a board that is willing to do it. It's tough to get big rule amendments through the administration process, as you might imagine," Lemmo said when asked why the office is pushing for the changes to go through by December. "My boss and the board that we answer to have been very supportive in moving this effort along."

When a new governor is sworn in Dec. 1, there could be many new names and faces in important chairs. And they may want to take "another eight-year look at this," Lemmo said.

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