PROJECT PERMITTING ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCES
Hawai‘i residents, businesses, and visitors share a responsibility to care for the natural areas in which they have an interest. In addition, Hawai‘i’s precious protected resources, limited developable land, and multiple layers of government jurisdiction result in many environmental, land use, and construction permits for new large-scale renewable energy projects in Hawai‘i.
The resources in this section are intended to identify all potential permits, approvals, and issues early in the project development stage to inform decision-making by all parties before significant project investments are made. Links to online permitting tools used by other agencies are also included. These resources can also help identify opportunities for public input or involvement in required regulatory proceedings.
Resource Links
Guide to Renewable Energy Facility Permits in the State of Hawai‘i
This Guide provides information on siting and permitting renewable energy facilities in Hawai‘i, including lessons learned from actual Hawai‘i renewable energy projects.
Permit List
The attached list includes Federal, State, and County permits that could be required for a large renewable energy project in Hawai‘i. This list may also be used for any type of large development project in Hawai‘i. THIS LIST IS ADVISORY ONLY AND MAY NOT CONTAIN ALL REQUIRED PERMITS AND APPROVALS.
Department of Health e-Permitting Portal
e-Permitting provides online permitting for Hawai‘i Department of Health Environmental Health Administration (DOH EHA) permits and approvals that may be required for renewable energy and other types of projects. DOH serves to protect and improve the health and environment for all people in Hawai‘i.
Department of Land and Natural Resources Online Permitting
The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) provides online permitting for certain DLNR permits and approvals that may be required for renewable energy siting due diligence, specifically permits from the Division of Forestry and Wildlife Rare Plant and Native Invertebrates Program. DLNR serves to enhance, protect, conserve, and manage Hawai‘i’s unique and limited natural, cultural, and historic resources.
Hawai‘i Clean Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement
The Hawai‘i Clean Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) analyzes, at a programmatic level, the potential environmental impacts of clean energy activities and technologies in the following clean energy categories: (1) Energy Efficiency, (2) Distributed Renewables, (3) Utility-Scale Renewables, (4) Alternative Transportation Fuels and Modes, and (5) Electrical Transmission and Distribution. The PEIS was developed by the U.S. Department of Energy in partnership with the State of Hawai‘i and was published in September 2015.
Renewable Energy Permitting Consultants in Hawai‘i
The Hawai‘i State Energy Office highly recommends retaining advisors familiar with Hawai‘i’s regulations, processes, and customs when applying for permits and approvals.