The Guide to Renewable Energy Facility Permits in the State of Hawai‘i and the accompanying Permit Packets provide information on the federal, state, and county permits required for renewable energy facilities in Hawai‘i.
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Guide to Renewable Energy Facility Permits in the State of Hawaii
City and County of Honolulu Permit Packets
| Permit Name | Permit Agency | Permit Packet Number |
| Shoreline Setback Variance | Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP), Land Use Permits Division | |
| Special Management Area (SMA) Use Permit (Major and Minor) | DPP, Land Use Permits Division | |
| Flood Hazard District Variance | DPP, Land Use Permits Division | |
| Flood Determination Approval | DPP, Land Use Permits Division | |
| Dewatering Permit | DPP, Site Development Division | |
| Building Permit | DPP, Building Division | |
| Grading Permit | DPP, Site Development Division | |
| Grubbing Permit | DPP, Site Development Division | |
| Stockpiling Permit | DPP, Site Development Division | |
| Sewer Connection Permit | DPP, Site Development Division | |
| Trenching Permit | DPP, Site Development Division | |
| Tank Installation Permit | Honolulu Fire Department | |
| Conditional Use Permit (CUP) (Major and Minor) | DPP, Land Use Permits Division | |
| Plan Review Use | DPP, Land Use Permits Division | |
| Special District Permit (Major and Minor) | DPP, Land Use Permits Division | |
| Waiver Permit | DPP, Land Use Permits Division | |
| Development Plan Amendment | DPP, Planning Division | |
| General Plan Amendment | DPP, Planning Division | |
| Special Use Permit (SUP) | DPP, Planning Division | |
| State Land Use Boundary Amendment | DPP, Planning Division | |
| Zone Change | DPP, Planning Division |
Hawaii County Permit Packets
| Permit Name | Permit Agency | Permit Packet Number |
| Shoreline Setback Variance | Department of Planning (DOP) | H-1 |
| Special Management Area Use Permit | DOP | H-2 |
| Building Permit | Public Works Department (PWD), Building Division | H-3 |
| Plumbing Permit | PWD, Building Division | H-4 |
| Flood Zone Designation Form | PWD, Engineering Division | H-5 |
| Grading Permit | PWD, Engineering Division | H-6 |
| Grubbing Permit | PWD, Engineering Division | H-7 |
| Permit to Work Within the County Right-of-Way | PWD, Engineering Division | H-8 |
| Private Waterline Installation | PWD, Engineering Division | H-9 |
| Stockpiling Permit | PWD, Engineering Division | H-10 |
| Variance Application for County Streets | PWD, Engineering Division | H-11 |
| Agricultural Project District Application | DOP | H-12 |
| Plan Approval | DOP | H-13 |
| Variance Zoning Application | DOP | H-14 |
| Project District Application | DOP | H-15 |
| Special Permit Application | DOP | H-16 |
Kauai County Permit Packets
| Permit Name | Permit Agency | Permit Packet Number |
| Shoreline Setback | Department of Planning | K-1 |
| Special Management Area Permit | Department of Planning | K-2 |
| Building Permit | Department of Public Works, Building Division | K-3 |
| Driveway Approach Application | Department of Public Works, Engineering Division | K-4 |
| Grading Permit | Department of Public Works, Engineering Division | K-5 |
| Grubbing Permit | Department of Public Works, Engineering Division | K-6 |
| Road Permit | Department of Public Works, Engineering Division | K-7 |
| Stockpiling Permit | Department of Public Works, Engineering Division | K-8 |
| Sewer Connection Permit | Department of Public Works, Wastewater Management Division | K-9 |
| Water Service Application | Department of Water | K-10 |
| Special Permit | Department of Planning | K-11 |
| Use Permit | Department of Planning | K-12 |
| Variance | Department of Planning | K-13 |
| Zoning Permit | Department of Planning | K-14 |
Maui County Permit Packets
| Permit Name | Permit Agency | Permit Packet Number |
| Environmental Assessment Determination | Department of Planning (DOP), Current Planning Division | M-1 |
| Shoreline Setback Variance Application – Maui | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-2 |
| Amendment to Special Management Area Map(s) | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-3 |
| Special Management Area Use Permit (SM1) – Maui | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-4 |
| Flood Development Permit | DOP, Zoning Administration & Enforcement Division | M-5 |
| Wastewater Discharge Permit (WWD) | Department of Environmental Management (DEM), Wastewater Reclamation Division | M-6 |
| Shoreline Setback Variance Application – Lanai | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-7 |
| Special Management Area Use Permit (SM1) – Lanai | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-8 |
| Shoreline Setback Variance Application – Molokai | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-9 |
| Wastewater Hauler Permit (WWH) | DEM, Wastewater Reclamation Division | M-11 |
| Explosives & Blasting Agent Permit (FEBA) | Department of Fire & Public Safety, Fire Prevention Bureau | M-12 |
| Fire Protection Permit | Department of Fire & Public Safety, Fire Prevention Bureau | M-13 |
| Flammable & Combustible Tank Permit (FTNK) | Department of Fire & Public Safety, Fire Prevention Bureau | M-14 |
| Flammable Finish Facility Permit (FAFF) | Department of Fire & Public Safety, Fire Prevention Bureau | M-15 |
| Hazardous Materials Permit (FHAZ) | Department of Fire & Public Safety, Fire Prevention Bureau | M-16 |
| Liquefied Petroleum Gases Permit (FLPG) | Department of Fire & Public Safety, Fire Prevention Bureau | M-17 |
| Temporary Structure Permit | Department of Fire & Public Safety, Fire Prevention Bureau | M-18 |
| Building Permit | Department of Public Works (DPW), Development Services Administration, Building Permit Office | M-19 |
| Certificate of Occupancy Permit | DPW, Development Services Administration Division (DSA) | M-20 |
| Driveway Permit | DPW, Development Services Administration Division (DSA) | M-21 |
| Electrical Permit | DPW, DSA, Electrical Permit & Inspection Office | M-22 |
| Grading & Grubbing Permit | DPW, DSA | M-23 |
| Moving Permit | DPW, DSA | M-24 |
| Perform Work on County Highway Permit | DPW, DSA | M-25 |
| Plumbing/Gas Permit | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-26 |
| Change in Zoning Permit (CIZ) | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-27 |
| Land Use Commission Special Use Permit (SUP1, SUP2) – Maui | DOP, Maui Planning Commission | M-28 |
| Community Plan Amendment | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-29 |
| Conditional Use Permit (CP) – Maui & Lanai | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-30 |
| Land Use Commission District Boundary Amendment (DBA) | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-31 |
| Planned Development Approval – Molokai | DOP, Molokai Planning Commission | M-32 |
| Project District Development Approval – Maui & Lanai | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-33 |
| Project Master Plan Review (PMP) | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-34 |
| Special Accessory Use Approval Permit (ACC) | DOP, Planning Commission | M-35 |
| Development Plan Review | DOP, Planning Commission | M-36 |
| County Special Use Permit (CUP) – Maui & Lanai | DOP, Maui or Lanai Planning Commission | M-37 |
| Board of Variance & Appeals (BVA) | DOP, Zoning Administration and Enforcement Division | M-38a/38v |
| Zoning and Flood Confirmation Form | DOP, Zoning Administration and Enforcement Division | M-39 |
| Subdivision Applications | DPW, DSA | M-40 |
| Land Use Commission Special Use Permit (SUP1, SUP2) – Lanai | DOP, Lanai Planning Commission | M-41 |
| Conditional Use Permit (CP) – Molokai | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-42 |
| County Special Use Permit (CUP) – Molokai | DOP, Molokai Planning Commission | M-43 |
| Project District Development Approval – Molokai | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-44 |
| Land Use Commission Special Use Permit (SUP1, SUP2) – Molokai | DOP, Molokai Planning Commission | M-45 |
| Lanai SMA Emergency Permit (SM3) | DOP, Lanai Planning Commission | M-46 |
| Special Management Assessment | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-47 |
| Maui SMA Emergency Permit | DOP, County Utility Permits | M-48 |
| Public Utility Joint Venture | DOP, Permitting | M-49 |
State Permit Packets
| Permit Name | Permit Agency | Permit Packet Number |
| Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Federal Consistency Review | Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT)Office of Planning (OP) | S-1 |
| Agricultural Burning | Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) Clean Air Branch |
S-2 |
| Air Pollution Control Permit, Covered Source Permit (CSP) and Noncovered Source Permit (NSP) | DOH, Clean Air Branch | S-3 |
| Biosolids Treatment Works Notice of Intent (NOI) | DOH, Wastewater Branch (WWB) | S-4 |
| Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) / Environmental Assesment (EA) | DOH, Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC) | S-5 |
| Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Permit (TSD) | DOH, Hazardous Materials Branch | S-6 |
| Individual Wastewater Management Permit | DOH, Wastewater Branch | S-7 |
| National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit | DOH, Clean Water Branch | S-8 |
| Solid Waste Management by Rule Permit | DOH, Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch | S-9 |
| Hawaii Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know-Act (HEPCRA) Chemical Inventory Reporting | DOH, Office of Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response | S-10 |
| Underground Injection Control Permit (UIC) | DOH, Safe Drinking Water Branch | S-11 |
| Underground Storage Tank (UST) Permit | DOH, Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch | S-12 |
| Variance From Pollution Control | DOH | S-13 |
| Zone of Mixing (ZOM) Permit | DOH, Clean Water Branch | S-14 |
| State Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) and Incidental Take Licenses (ITLs) | Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resource (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) | S-15 |
| Pesticides Experimental Use Permit | Hawaii Department of Agriculture (DOA), Division of Plant Industry, Pesticides Branch | S-16 |
| Pesticide Applicator Certification | DOA, Division of Plant Industry, Pesticides Branch | S-17 |
| Noise Permit | DOH, Indoor and Radiological Health Branch | S-18 |
| Section 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) Permit | DOH, Clean Water Branch | S-19 |
| Boiler and/or Pressure Vessel Permits | Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR), Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health | S-20 |
| Elevator and Kindred Equipment Permit | DLIR, Hawaii Occupational Safety & Health Division | S-21 |
| Dams and Reservoirs Permit | DLNR, Engineering Division | S-22 |
| Geothermal and Cable System Development Permit | DLNR, Engineering Division | S-23 |
| Geothermal Exploration Permit | DLNR, Engineering Division | S-24 |
| Well Construction and Pump Installation Permit | DLNR, Commission on Water Resource Management | S-25 |
| Permit for Construction to Cross or Enter the State Energy Corridor | Department of Transportation (DOT), Harbors Division, Engineering Branch | S-26 |
| Construction Upon a State Highway | DOT, Highways Division | S-27 |
| Operate or Transport Oversize and/or Overweight Vehicles and Loads Permit | DOT, Highways Division | S-28 |
| Use and Occupancy Permit (Lane Use Permit for Construction Work) | DOT, Highways Division | S-29 |
| Work in Ocean Waters of the State | DOT, Harbors Division | S-30 |
| Kaka`ako Development Permit (Mauka, Makai) | DBEDT, Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) | |
| District Boundary Amendment | DBEDT, Land Use Commission | S-32 |
| Special Use Permit (Over 15 Acres) | DBEDT, Land Use Commission | S-33 |
| Special Management Area (SMA) Use Permit | DBEDT, Office of Planning | S-34 |
| Closed Watershed Entry Permit | DLNR, Division of Forestry and Wildlife | S-35 |
| Conservation District Use (CDU) Permit | DLNR, Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands | S-36 |
| Conservation District Use Permit – State Marine Waters /Ocean Waters Construction Permit (OWCP) | DLNR, Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands | S-37 |
| Drilling and Modification of Wells for Injection Use Permit | DLNR, Engineering Division | S-38 |
|
Easement for Use of State Lands Permit |
DLNR, Land Division | S-39 |
|
Forest Reserve System Special Use Permit |
DLNR, Division of Forestry and Wildlife | S-40 |
| Ground Water Control Area Permit | DLNR, Commission on Water Resource Management | S-42 |
| Historic Preservation Review | DLNR, State Historic Preservation Division | S-43 |
| Historic Sites Review | DLNR, State Historic Preservation Division | S-44 |
| Natural Area Reserves Special (NARS) Use Permit | DLNR, Division of Forestry and Wildlife | S-45 |
| Stream Channel Alteration Permit (SCAP) | DLNR, Commission on Water Resource Management | S-46 |
| Wildlife Sanctuary Entry Permit | DLNR, Division of Forestry and Wildlife | S-47 |
| Forest Reserve Entry/ Access Permit | DLNR, Division of Forestry and Wildlife | S-48 |
| Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity | Public Utility Commission (PUC) | S-49 |
| Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) | PUC | S-50 |
| Transmission Line Approval | PUC | S-51 |
Federal Permit Packets
| Permit Name | Permit Agency | Permit Packet Number |
| Department of the Army (DA) Permit | Army Corp of Engineers | F-1 |
| Bridge Permit, Rivers and Harbors Act Section 9 | U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard | F-2 |
| Marine and Harbor Activities Notice (“Notice”) | U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard | F-3 |
| Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) / Environmental Assessment (EA) | Council on Environmental Quality | F-4 |
| Underground Injection Control (UIC) Permit | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water | F-5 |
| Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) if Impacting a National Park (recommendation to DOH Air Pollution Control Permit) | National Park Service, Air Resources Division | F-6 |
| Incidental Take Statement (ITS), Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 (a)(2) | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service | F-7 |
| Incidental Take Permit (ITP), Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 10 (a)(1)(B) | NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service | F-8 |
| Letter of Authorization (LOA) or Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) | NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service | F-9 |
| Incidental Take Statement (ITS), Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 (a)(2) | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Field Office Consultation and Technical Assistance Program |
F-10 |
| ncidental Take Permit (ITP), Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 10 (a)(1)(B) | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Field Office | F-11 |
| Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration in Airspace | Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Western-Pacific Region Airports Division | F-12 |
| Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Renewable Energy Project Lease, Easement, or ROW Grants | Mineral Management Services | F-13 |
| Hydroelectric Project Authorizations (Licenses and Exemptions) | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) | F-14 |
| Hydrokinetic Pilot Project License | FERC | F-15 |
Important Notice and Disclaimer:
The Guide to Renewable Energy Facility Permits in the State of Hawai‘i and the accompanying Permit Packets are designed to help people understand the permitting process in Hawai‘i; they are not legal documents. Further, these documents should not be relied on exclusively to determine legal responsibilities. In some cases, permits, approvals, and licenses not included in these resources may be necessary to a particular project.
Permitting laws, related legislation, and procedures for securing permits and approvals are dynamic and ever-changing. All process overviews were created with the intent that the applicant would contact the permitting agency directly and consult all current materials as provided by the permitting agency. Because the complexity of many of the permitting processes precludes detailing all steps in the process, the overviews are intended to provide a broad understanding of the process.
The Permitting Wizard, Guide, and Permit Packets provided herein are for guidance only and may differ from actual regulations or agency practices. The State of Hawai‘i and the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) are not responsible for any delays or losses caused thereby should the processing of a permit or approval differ from that outlined in the Permitting Wizard, Guide, and Permit Packets. Additionally, these tools are not meant to serve as substitutes for hiring a professional permitting consultant. DBEDT strongly recommends that each renewable energy developer procure its own consultant(s) familiar with local permits and approvals to assist it through the permitting process. A non-inclusive list of permitting consultants familiar with Hawai‘i processes can be found at this website.
Our island environment is not only the basis for our quality of life, it is also the lifeblood of our economy. We look at environmental issues with future generations in mind, and as we explore Hawaii’s boundless, clean energy potential, we trust they will benefit from our stewardship.