Division of Forestry and Wildlife

Per the decision of the Board of Land and Natural Resources on August 22, 2025, the legal notice for the February 11, 2026, Second Draft Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) public hearing to be published in the Garden Island newspaper is attached for your review and signature.

We request approval for Jason D. Omick, the Statewide Wildlife Program Manager, to serve as the hearing officer. If Jason is unable to act as the Hearing Officer, the Division will assign an appropriate staff member to conduct the hearing.

If you have any questions, please contact Jesse W. Adams, Protected Species Habitat Conservation Planning Associate, at [email protected]. Thank you for your consideration and your service to protect our natural resources.

Public Hearing Notice, Division of Forestry and Wildlife

DATE: Wednesday, February 11, 2026

TIME: 5:00 PM

PLACE: Kauaʻi Community College, OCET 106 C/D, 3-1901 Kaumuali‘i Highway, Līhu‘e, Hawai‘i 96766

A Zoom option is also available. Please message:

[email protected] for a link by 4:00 PM on February 10, 2026.

The State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold a public hearing to receive testimony on the second draft of the Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) affecting the island of Kauaʻi, pursuant to Chapter 195D, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes.

The appointed Hearing Officer is Jason D. Omick, Statewide Wildlife Program Manager, Division of Forestry and Wildlife. A copy of the draft Habitat Conservation Plan and its appendices was made available for public review in the August 23, 2025, edition of The Environmental Notice.

Second Draft Habitat Conservation Plan: Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative Habitat Conservation Plan

Second Draft Habitat Conservation Plan Appendices: Appendices – Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative Habitat Conservation Plan

If you want to attend the above meeting and need auxiliary aids (such as taped materials or a sign language interpreter), please request assistance five working days in advance by contacting the Division of Forestry and Wildlife at 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325, Honolulu, HI 96813, or calling (808) 587-0166.

Full legal notice here: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dofaw/files/2026/01/Final-KIUC-Second-Draft-HCP-Memo-and-Public-Notice_01292026.pdf