Application Process
Potential land uses in the Conservation District are identified in HAR Title 13 Chapter 5, sections 22 through 25. All land uses are conditional, and that the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) has the final authority to modify, grant, or deny any permit.
Identified land uses beginning with the letter (A) require no permit from the department or board. OCCL is able to write letters of No Objection for landowners that would like documentation that their project has been reviewed.
Identified land uses beginning with the letter (B) require a Site Plan Approval from OCCL. These generally do not go out for public review, and can be processed in under thirty days. The application fee for Site Plan Approvals is $50.
Identified land uses beginning with the letter (C) are Departmental Permits that require a Conservation District Use Permit (CDUP) approved by the Chair of the department. The application fee for Departmental Permits is $250. When applicable there are additional fees for public hearing costs ($250) and publication costs (variable).
Identified land uses beginning with the letter (D) are Board Permits that require a Conservation District Use Permit (CDUP) approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources. The application fee for Board Permits is equal to 2.5% of the project cost, but no less than $250, up to a maximum of $2,500. When applicable there are additional fees for public hearing costs ($250) and publication costs (variable).
- Conservation District Use Application (CDUA) should be used for Departmental and Board Permits
- Marine Waters CDUA should be used for any project that involves the lease of State submerged lands.
- Loko I`a CDUA (Hoʻāla Loko Iʻa Program) should be used for the restoration and maintenance of traditional Hawaiian fishpond systems.
- Site Plan Approval application (SPA) is used for smaller projects that do not require a full CDUP.
- Emergency CDUA should only be used when there is an imminent threat to the public health, safety, or welfare.
- Small Scale Beach Nourishment (SSBN) Category I Application for beach nourishment projects under 500 cubic yards.
- SSBN Category II Application for beach nourishment projects under 10,000 cubic yards.
- Draft or Final Environmental Assessment (EA) or Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or Statement of Exemption
- State Historic Preservation Division HRS 6E Submittal Form
- Management Plan or Comprehensive Management Plan
- Special Management Area Determination
- Shoreline Certification if land use is subject to coastal hazards (apply for certification through DLNR’s Land Division)
- Kuleana documentation (ref §13-5-31(f)) if applying for a non-conforming kuleana use.
- Boundary Determination (ref §13-5-17) if land use lies within 50 feet of a subzone boundary.
OCCL will coordinate any required public hearings, as well as the publication of the documents in the Environmental Review Program‘s Environmental Notice. The applicant or their consultant will be required to respond to all written comments regarding the proposal.
Once an application for a Conservation District Use Permit is accepted for processing we are required by law to make a decision within 180 days. At the end of the review process OCCL will make a recommendation to either the Chair of the Board of Land and Natural Resources or the full Board, as appropriate. The Chair (for Departmental permits) or the Board (for Board permits) has the final authority to modify, grant, or deny any permit.
Applications should be mailed to the Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands (OCCL), PO Box 621, Honolulu, HI, 96809. Alternatively, they can be dropped off at OCCL’s office at the Kalanimoku Building, 1151 Punchbowl, Room 131, Honolulu, HI, 96813.
We are not currently set up to receive electronic submissions.