DLNR News Release – YOUR VOICE CAN HELP SHAPE HOW HAWAIʻI’S CONSERVATION DISTRICT LANDS ARE MANAGED, Oct. 12, 2026

What this means

On October 12, 2026, Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources announced proposed changes to Conservation District land-use rules administered by its Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands. The proposal covers conservation standards, minor-activity permits, coastal erosion and hazards, shoreline hardening, existing-building restoration and traditional fishpond restoration across approximately two million acres of public and private land. An informational briefing is scheduled for October 21 at 5 p.m. in Honolulu and on Zoom, followed by eight hearings October 28–November 19. The release sets a November 30 postmark cutoff for mailed comments and provides an email submission option. The statewide amendments require approval; they are not final rules.

Official release

Source material from Hawaii Governor’s Office. The wording below is the issuer’s statement.

DLNR News Release – YOUR VOICE CAN HELP SHAPE HOW HAWAIʻI’S CONSERVATION DISTRICT LANDS ARE MANAGED, Oct. 12, 2026

Posted on Oct 12, 2026 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

STATE OF HAWAIʻI

KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

JOSH GREEN, M.D.

GOVERNOR

KE KIAʻĀINA

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

KA ‘OIHANA KUMUWAIWAI ‘ĀINA

RYAN K.P. KANAKA‘OLE

CHAIRPERSON

KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

DAVID D. DAY

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

KA HOPE LUNA HOʻOKELE

YOUR VOICE CAN HELP SHAPE HOW HAWAIʻI’S CONSERVATION DISTRICT LANDS ARE MANAGED

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 12, 2026

HONOLULU – Community members are encouraged to learn about proposed changes to the rules governing land use and permitting within Hawaiʻi’s State Land Use Conservation District and be part of the rulemaking process by providing testimony at one of eight public hearings.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands (OCCL) is proposing amendments to Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR) Chapter 13-5, which governs approximately two million acres of public and private conservation lands across the state, including beach and marine areas.

The proposed amendments would reorganize and update the rules to:

Strengthen conservation criteria

Simplify permitting for minor activities

Address coastal hazards and coastal erosion

Update and overhaul shoreline hardening provisions

Clarify regulations for restoration of existing structures

Incorporate and streamline provisions for loko iʻa (ancient fishpond) restoration

If approved, the amended rules will apply to all islands statewide, so resident participation is encouraged.

Public Meetings

OCCL will host an informational briefing on October 21, 2026, at 5 p.m. Participants may attend in-person at the Kalanimoku Building in Honolulu and online via Zoom. The briefing will provide an opportunity for the community to discover the rationale behind the proposed amendments before statewide public hearings begin.

Public hearings will be hosted on Maui, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi and Molokaʻi from October 28 through November 19, 2026. Disabled individuals with needs that may require accommodation who are planning to attend hearings, are asked to contact OCCL staff in Honolulu at 808-587-0377 at least four days in advance of the hearing date to request assistance.

Written comments on the proposed rule amendments must be submitted electronically to [email protected], or postmarked no later than Monday, November 30, 2026, and mailed to:

Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands

P.O. Box 621

Honolulu, HI 96809

More information about the proposed amendments, hearing schedule, locations and Zoom information is available on the OCCL website:

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Release text attributed to Hawaii Governor’s Office. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.