Renewable Energy Project Permitting in the State of Hawaii – Guide and Packets
Renewable Energy Project Permitting: Guide
The Guide to Renewable Energy Facility Permits in the State of Hawaii and the accompanying Permit Packets provide information on the federal, state, and county permits required for renewable energy facilities in Hawaii. To read the PDFs, you will need appropriate software such as Adobe’s free Acrobat Reader.
Guide to Renewable Energy Facility Permits in the State of Hawaii, Vers. 3 (updated April 2015)
Renewable Energy Project Permitting: Packets
Residential Photovoltaic Installations
| County | Permit Brief |
| Kauai | Kauai Residential PV Installation_May 2015 |
| City and County of Honolulu | Oahu Residential PV Installation_May 2015 |
| Maui | Maui County Residential PV Installation_May 2015 |
| Hawaii | Hawaii Island Residential PV Installation_May 2015 |
City and County of Honolulu Permit Packets
| Permit Name | Permit Agency | Permit Packet Number |
| Shoreline Setback Variance (Oahu) | Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP), Land Use Permits Division | CCH-1 (PDF) |
| Special Management Area (SMA) Use Permit (Minor) | DPP, Land Use Permits Division | Oahu SMA Minor Permit_March 2015 |
| Special Management Area (SMA) Use Permit (Major) | DPP, Land Use Permits Division | Oahu SMA Major Permit_March 2015 |
| Flood Hazard District Variance (Oahu) | DPP, Land Use Permits Division | CCH-3 (PDF) |
| Flood Determination Approval (Oahu) | DPP, Land Use Permits Division | CCH-4 (PDF) |
| Dewatering Permit (Oahu) | DPP, Site Development Division | CCH-5 (PDF) |
| Building Permit (Oahu) | DPP, Building Division | CCH-6 (PDF) |
| Grading Permit (Oahu) | DPP, Site Development Division | CCH-7 (PDF) |
| Grubbing Permit (Oahu) | DPP, Site Development Division | CCH-8 (PDF) |
| Stockpiling Permit (Oahu) | DPP, Site Development Division | CCH-9 (PDF) |
| Sewer Connection Permit (Oahu) | DPP, Site Development Division | CCH-10 (PDF) |
| Trenching Permit (Oahu) | DPP, Site Development Division | CCH-11 (PDF) |
| Tank Installation Permit (Oahu) | Honolulu Fire Department | CCH-12 (PDF) |
| Conditional Use Permit (CUP) (Minor) | DPP, Land Use Permits Division | Oahu CUPMinor_March 2015 |
| Conditional Use Permit (CUP) (Major) | DPP, Land Use Permits Division | Oahu CUPMajor_March 2015 |
| Plan Review Use (Oahu) | DPP, Land Use Permits Division | CCH-14 (PDF) |
| Special District Permit (Major and Minor) (Oahu) | DPP, Land Use Permits Division | CCH-15 (PDF) |
| Waiver Permit | DPP, Land Use Permits Division | Oahu Waiver Permit_March 2015 |
| Development Plan Amendment (Oahu) | DPP, Planning Division | CCH-17 (PDF) |
| General Plan Amendment (Oahu) | DPP, Planning Division | CCH-18 (PDF) |
| Special Use Permit (SUP) | DPP, Planning Division | Oahu SUP Permit_July 2015 |
| State Land Use Boundary Amendment (Oahu) | DPP, Planning Division | CCH-20 (PDF) |
| Zone Change (Oahu) | DPP, Planning Division | CCH-21 (PDF) |
Hawaii County Permit Packets
| Permit Name | Permit Agency | Permit Packet Number |
| Shoreline Setback Variance | Department of Planning | H-1 (PDF) |
| Special Management Area Use Permit (Minor) | Department of Planning | Hawaii SMA Minor Permit_Dec 2014 |
| Special Management Area Use Permit (Major) | Department of Planning | Hawaii SMA Major Use Permit_Dec 2014 |
| Building Permit | Public Works Department (PWD), Building Division | H-3 (PDF) |
| Plumbing Permit | PWD, Building Division | H-4 (PDF) |
| Flood Zone Designation Form | PWD, Engineering Division | H-5 (PDF) |
| Grading Permit | PWD, Engineering Division | H-6 (PDF) |
| Grubbing Permit | PWD, Engineering Division | H-7 (PDF) |
| Permit to Work Within the County Right-of-Way | PWD, Engineering Division | H-8 (PDF) |
| Private Waterline Installation | PWD, Engineering Division | H-9 (PDF) |
| Stockpiling Permit | PWD, Engineering Division | H-10 (PDF) |
| Variance Application for County Streets | PWD, Engineering Division | H-11 (PDF) |
| Agricultural Project District Application | DOP | H-12 (PDF) |
| Plan Approval | DOP | H-13 (PDF) |
| Variance Zoning Application | DOP | H-14 (PDF) |
| Project District Application | DOP | H-15 (PDF) |
| Special Permit Application | DOP | H-16 (PDF) |
Kauai County Permit Packets
| Permit Name | Permit Agency | Permit Packet Number |
| Shoreline Setback Variance | Department of Planning | Kauai Shoreline Setback Variance_March 2015 |
| Special Management Area Permit (Minor) | Department of Planning | Kauai SMA Minor Permit_March 2015 |
| Special Management Area Permit (Major) | Department of Planning | Kauai SMA Major Permit_March 2015 |
| Building Permit | Department of Public Works, Building Division | K-3 (PDF) |
| Driveway Approach Application | Department of Public Works, Engineering Division | K-4 (PDF) |
| Grading Permit | Department of Public Works, Engineering Division | K-5 (PDF) |
| Grubbing Permit | Department of Public Works, Engineering Division | K-6 (PDF) |
| Road Permit | Department of Public Works, Engineering Division | K-7 (PDF) |
| Stockpiling Permit | Department of Public Works, Engineering Division | K-8 (PDF) |
| Sewer Connection Permit | Department of Public Works, Wastewater Management Division | K-9 (PDF) |
| Water Service Application | Department of Water | K-10 (PDF) |
| Special Permit | Department of Planning | Kauai Special Permit_March 2015 |
| Use Permit | Department of Planning | Kauai Use Permit_March 2015 |
| Variance | Department of Planning | K-13 (PDF) |
| Zoning Permit (Class I) | Department of Planning | Kauai Class I Permit_March 2015 |
| Zoning Permits (Class IV) | Department of Planning | Kauai Class IV Permit_March 2015 |
Maui County Permit Packets
| Permit Name | Permit Agency | Permit Packet Number |
| Environmental Impact Statement – Environment Assessment (DOH-OEQC) | Department of Planning (DOP), Current Planning Division | M-1 |
| Shoreline Setback Variance Application – Maui | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-2 (PDF) |
| Amendment to Special Management Area Map(s) | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-3 (PDF) |
| Special Management Area Use Permit (Minor) | DOP, Current Planning Division | Maui SMA Minor Permit_Dec 2014 |
| Special Management Area Use Permit (Major) | DOP, Current Planning Division | Maui SMA Major Permit_Dec 2014 |
| Variance | DOP, Current Planning Division | Maui Variance_Dec 2014 |
| Flood Development Permit | DOP, Zoning Administration & Enforcement Division | M-5 (PDF) |
| Wastewater Discharge Permit (WWD) | Department of Environmental Management (DEM), Wastewater Reclamation Division | M-6 (PDF) |
| Shoreline Setback Variance Application – Lanai | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-7 (PDF) |
| Special Management Area Use Permit (SM1) – Lanai | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-8 (PDF) |
| Shoreline Setback Variance Application – Molokai | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-9 (PDF) |
| Wastewater Hauler Permit (WWH) | DEM, Wastewater Reclamation Division | M-11 (PDF) |
| Explosives & Blasting Agent Permit (FEBA) | Department of Fire & Public Safety, Fire Prevention Bureau | M-12 (PDF) |
| Fire Protection Permit | Department of Fire & Public Safety, Fire Prevention Bureau | M-13 (PDF) |
| Flammable & Combustible Tank Permit (FTNK) | Department of Fire & Public Safety, Fire Prevention Bureau | M-14 (PDF) |
| Flammable Finish Facility Permit (FAFF) | Department of Fire & Public Safety, Fire Prevention Bureau | M-15 (PDF) |
| Hazardous Materials Permit (FHAZ) | Department of Fire & Public Safety, Fire Prevention Bureau | M-16 (PDF) |
| Liquefied Petroleum Gases Permit (FLPG) | Department of Fire & Public Safety, Fire Prevention Bureau | M-17 (PDF) |
| Temporary Structure Permit | Department of Fire & Public Safety, Fire Prevention Bureau | M-18 (PDF) |
| Building Permit | Department of Public Works (DPW), Development Services Administration, Building Permit Office | M-19 (PDF) |
| Certificate of Occupancy Permit | DPW, Development Services Administration Division (DSA) | M-20 (PDF) |
| Driveway Permit | DPW, Development Services Administration Division (DSA) | M-21 (PDF) |
| Electrical Permit | DPW, DSA, Electrical Permit & Inspection Office | M-22 (PDF) |
| Grading & Grubbing Permit | DPW, DSA | M-23 (PDF) |
| Moving Permit | DPW, DSA | M-24 (PDF) |
| Perform Work on County Highway Permit | DPW, DSA | M-25 (PDF) |
| Plumbing/Gas Permit | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-26 (PDF) |
| Change in Zoning Permit (CIZ) | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-27 (PDF) |
| Land Use Commission Special Use Permit (SUP1, SUP2) – Maui | DOP, Maui Planning Commission | M-28 (PDF) |
| Community Plan Amendment | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-29 (PDF) |
| Conditional Use Permit (CP) – Maui & Lanai | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-30 (PDF) |
| Land Use Commission District Boundary Amendment (DBA) | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-31 (PDF) |
| Planned Development Approval – Molokai | DOP, Molokai Planning Commission | M-32 (PDF) |
| Project District Development Approval – Maui & Lanai | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-33 (PDF) |
| Project Master Plan Review (PMP) | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-34 (PDF) |
| Special Accessory Use Approval Permit (ACC) | DOP, Planning Commission | M-35 (PDF) |
| Development Plan Review | DOP, Planning Commission | M-36 (PDF) |
| County Special Use Permit (CUP) – Maui & Lanai | DOP, Maui or Lanai Planning Commission | M-37 (PDF) |
| Board of Variance & Appeals (BVA) | DOP, Zoning Administration and Enforcement Division | M-38a (PDF)/38v (PDF) |
| Zoning and Flood Confirmation Form | DOP, Zoning Administration and Enforcement Division | M-39 (PDF) |
| Subdivision Applications | DPW, DSA | M-40 (PDF) |
| Land Use Commission Special Use Permit (SUP1, SUP2) – Lanai | DOP, Lanai Planning Commission | M-41 (PDF) |
| Conditional Use Permit (CP) – Molokai | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-42 (PDF) |
| County Special Use Permit (CUP) – Molokai | DOP, Molokai Planning Commission | M-43 (PDF) |
| Project District Development Approval – Molokai | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-44 (PDF) |
| Land Use Commission Special Use Permit (SUP1, SUP2) – Molokai | DOP, Molokai Planning Commission | M-45 (PDF) |
| Lanai SMA Emergency Permit (SM3) | DOP, Lanai Planning Commission | M-46 (PDF) |
| Special Management Assessment | DOP, Current Planning Division | M-47 (PDF) |
| Maui SMA Emergency Permit | DOP, County Utility Permits | M-48 (PDF) |
| Public Utility Joint Venture | DOP, Permitting | M-49 (PDF) |
State Permit Packets
| Permit Name | Permit Agency | Permit Packet Number |
| Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Consultation | Office of Hawaiian Affairs | OHA Consultation_March 2015 |
| Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Federal Consistency Review | Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT)Office of Planning (OP) | DBEDT-OP-1 (PDF) |
| Agricultural Burning | Department of Health, Clean Air Branch | DOH-CAB-1 (PDF) |
| Air Pollution Control Permit, Covered Source Permit (CSP) and Noncovered Source Permit (NSP) | DOH, Clean Air Branch | DOH-CAB-2 (PDF) |
| Biosolids Treatment Works Notice of Intent (NOI) | DOH, Wastewater Branch (WWB) | DOH-WW-1 (PDF) |
| Environmental Assessment (EA) | DOH, Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC) | Environmental Assessment_December 2014 |
| Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) | DOH, Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC) | Environmental Impact Statement_December 2014 |
| Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Permit (TSD) | DOH, Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch | DOH-SHW-1 (PDF) |
| Individual Wastewater Management Permit | DOH, Wastewater Branch | DOH-WW-2 (PDF) |
| National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit | DOH, Clean Water Branch | DOH-CWB-1 (PDF) |
| Solid Waste Management Facility Permit | DOH, Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch | Solid Waste Management Permit (DOH-SHWB)_5-1-15 |
| Hawaii Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know-Act (HEPCRA) Chemical Inventory Reporting | DOH, Office of Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response | DOH-HEER-1 (PDF) |
| Underground Injection Control Permit (UIC) | DOH, Safe Drinking Water Branch | DOH-SDW-1 (PDF) |
| Underground Storage Tank (UST) Permit | DOH, Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch | DOH-SHW-3 (PDF) |
| Variance From Pollution Control | DOH Clean Water Branch | DOH-CWB-3 (PDF) |
| Zone of Mixing (ZOM) Permit | DOH, Clean Water Branch | DOH-CWB-4 (PDF) |
| State Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) and Incidental Take Licenses (ITLs) | Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Wildlife | DLNR DOFAW ITL HCP_Dec 2014 |
| Pesticides Experimental Use Permit | Department of Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry, Pesticides Branch | DOA-PB-2 (PDF) |
| Pesticide Applicator Certification | Department of Agriculture, Plant Industry Division, Pesticides Branch | DOA-PB-1 (PDF) |
| Permit Application for Restricted Commodities into Hawaii | Department of Agriculture, Plant Industry Division, Plant Quarantine Branch | DOA.PQB-1 (PDF) |
| Noise Permit | Department of Health, Environmental Health Administration, Indoor and Radiological Health Branch | DOH-IRH-1 (PDF) |
| Noise Variance | Department of Health, Environmental Health Administration, Indoor and Radiological Health Branch | DOH-IRH-2 (PDF) |
| Section 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) Permit | DOH, Clean Water Branch | DOH-CWB-2 (PDF) |
| Boiler and/or Pressure Vessel Permits | Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR), Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health | DLIR-1 (PDF) |
| Elevator and Kindred Equipment Permit | DLIR, Hawaii Occupational Safety & Health Division | DLIR-2 (PDF) |
| Dam Safety Permit | Department of Land and Natural Resources, Engineering Division | DLNR-ENG-1 (PDF) |
| Geothermal and Cable System Development Permit | Department of Land and Natural Resources, Engineering Division | S-23 (PDF) |
| Geothermal Exploration Permit | Department of Land and Natural Resources, Engineering Division | DLNR-ENG-2 (PDF) |
| Ground Water Use Permit | Department of Land and Natural Resources, Commission on Water Resource Management | DLNR-CWRM-2 (PDF) |
| Permit for Construction to Cross or Enter the State Energy Corridor | Department of Transportation, Harbors Division, Engineering Branch | DOT-HBR-2 (PDF) |
| Construction Upon a State Highway | DOT, Highways Division | DOT-HWY-1 (PDF) |
| Operate or Transport Oversize and/or Overweight Vehicles and Loads Permit | DOT, Highways Division | DOT-HWY-2 (PDF) |
| Use and Occupancy Permit (Lane Use Permit for Construction Work) | DOT, Highways Division | DOT-HWY-3 (PDF) |
| Work in Ocean Waters of the State | DOT, Harbors Division | DOT-HBR-1 (PDF) |
| Kaka`ako Mauka/Kalaeloa Development Permit | DBEDT, Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) | DBEDT HCDA-1 (PDF) |
| Kakaako Makai Development Permit | DBEDT, HCDA | DBEDT-HCDA-2 (PDF) |
| District Boundary Amendment | DBEDT, Land Use Commission | DBEDT-LUC-1 (PDF) |
| Special Use Permit (Over 15 Acres) | DBEDT, Land Use Commission | DBEDT-LUC-2 (PDF) |
| Special Management Area (SMA) Use Permit | DBEDT, Office of Planning | DBEDT-OP-2 (PDF) |
| Closed Watershed Entry Permit | DLNR, Division of Forestry and Wildlife | DLNR-DOFAW-Forestry-1 |
| Conservation District Use (CDU) Permit | DLNR, Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands | DLNR-OCCL-1 (PDF) |
| Conservation District Use Permit – State Marine Waters /Ocean Waters Construction Permit (OWCP) | DLNR, Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands | DLNR-OCCL-2 (PDF) |
| Geothermal Drilling and Well Modification Permit | DLNR, Engineering Division | DLNR-ENG-3 (PDF) |
| Use of State Lands Permit | State of Hawaii | SOH-1 (PDF) |
| Forest Reserve System Special Use Permit | DLNR, Division of Forestry and Wildlife | DLNR DOFAW Forestry-3 (PDF) |
| Well Construction and Pump Installation Permit | DLNR, Commission on Water Resource Management | DLNR CWRM -3 (PDF) |
| Stream Diversion Works Permit | Department of Land and Natural Resources, Commission on Water Resource Management | DLNR-CWRM-4 (PDF) |
| Surface Water Use Permit | Department of Land and Natural Resources, Commission on Water Resource Management | DLNR-CWRM-5 (PDF) |
| Historic Preservation Review | DLNR, State Historic Preservation Division | SHPD Historic Preservation Review_March 2015 |
| Historic Sites Review | DLNR, State Historic Preservation Division | DLNR SHPD-2 (PDF) |
| Natural Area Reserves Special (NARS) Use Permit | DLNR, Division of Forestry and Wildlife | DLNR DOFAW NES-2 (PDF) |
| Stream Channel Alteration Permit (SCAP) | DLNR, Commission on Water Resource Management | DLNR-CWRM-1 (PDF) |
| Wildlife Sanctuary Entry Permit | DLNR, Division of Forestry and Wildlife | DLNR DOFAW Forestry-4 (PDF) |
| Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) / Fuel Off-take Agreement | Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) | PUC PPA Approval_April 2015 |
| Transmission Line Approval | PUC | PUC Transmission Line Approval_April 2015 |
| Geothermal Resource Mining Lease | DLNR-ENG/Land | DLNR ENG.Land-1 (PDF) |
| Submerged Land Lease | DLNR-OCCL/Land | DLNR Land Submerged Lands Lease_Dec 2014 |
| Native Invertebrate Research and Collecting Permit | Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife-Native Ecosystem Section | DLNR-NES-1 (PDF) |
| Threatened and Endangered (T&E) Plant Permit | Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife-Native Ecosystem Section | DLNR-NES-3 (PDF) |
| Threatened and Endangered Invertebrate Research and Collecting Permit | Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife-Native Ecosystem Section | DLNR-NES-4 (PDF) |
| Protected Wildlife Permit for Wildlife Rehabilitation | Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Wildlife | DLNR-Wildlife-4 (PDF) |
| Protected Wildlife Permit for Scientific Research | Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Wildlife | DLNR-Wildlife-2 (PDF) |
| Protected Wildlife Permit for Educational Display of Live Wildlife | Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Wildlife | DLNR-Wildlife-3 (PDF) |
Federal Permit Packets
| Permit Name | Permit Agency | Permit Packet Number |
| Department of the Army (DA) Permit | Army Corp of Engineers | DA-1 (PDF) |
| Bridge Permit, Rivers and Harbors Act Section 9 | U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard | USCG-1 (PDF) |
| Marine and Harbor Activities Notice (“Notice”) | U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard | USCG-2 (PDF) |
| Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) / Environmental Assessment (EA) | Council on Environmental Quality | NEPA CE EA EIS_Dec 2014 |
| Underground Injection Control (UIC) Permit | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water | EPA-2 (PDF) |
| Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) if Impacting a National Park (recommendation to DOH Air Pollution Control Permit) | National Park Service, Air Resources Division | NPS-1 (PDF) |
| Incidental Take Statement (ITS), Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 (a)(2) | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service | NOAA-2 (PDF) |
| Incidental Take Permit (ITP), Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 10 (a)(1)(B) | NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service | NOAA-1 (PDF) |
| Letter of Authorization (LOA) or Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) | NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service | NOAA-3 (PDF) |
| 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 | USFWS-2 (PDF) |
| Incidental 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 | USFWS ITP_Dec 2014 |
| Construction in Potential Navigable Airspace (FAA) | Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Western-Pacific Region Airports Division | Construction in Potential Navigable Airspace (FAA) |
|
Construction of a Solar Facility on Airport Facilities (FAA) |
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Western-Pacific Region Airports Division | Construction of a Solar Facility on Airport Facilities (FAA) |
| Construction of Solar Facility Near Final Approach Path for Airports (FAA) | Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Western-Pacific Region Airports Division | Construction of Solar Facility Near Final Approach Path for Airports (FAA) |
| Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Renewable Energy Project Lease, Easement, or ROW Grants | Mineral Management Services | DOI-1 (PDF) |
| Hydroelectric Project Authorizations (Licenses and Exemptions) | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) | FERC-1 (PDF) |
| Hydrokinetic Pilot Project License | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) | FERC-2 (PDF) |
Important Notice and Disclaimer: The Guide to Renewable Energy Facility Permits in the State of Hawaii and the accompanying Permit Packets are designed to help people understand the permitting process in Hawaii; 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 Hawaii 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.