DLNR RECEIVES NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR KAUAʻI MILITARY FACILITIES

STATE OF HAWAIʻI

KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

JOSH GREEN, M.D.

GOVERNOR

KE KIAʻĀINA

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

KA 'OIHANA KUMUWAIWAI 'ĀINA

RYAN K.P. KANAKAʻOLE

CHAIRPERSON

KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

DAVID D. DAY

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

KA HOPE LUNA HOʻOKELE

DLNR RECEIVES NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR KAUAʻI MILITARY FACILITIES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 05, 2026

HONOLULU - The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has been notified that the Department of the Navy (Navy) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have chosen to withdraw their Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) and Kōkeʻe Park Geophysical Observatory (KPGO).

"DLNR commends the Navy and NASA for their decision to withdraw the FEIS, which we believe to be in the best interest of the people of Hawaiʻi," said DLNR First Deputy Director Dave Day. "The purpose of an environmental impact statement is to provide decision makers and the public with as much information about a project as possible so that well-reasoned decisions about the use of state land can be made in accordance with Hawaiʻi law."

"Whether a person agrees or disagrees with this particular project, the Navy and NASA's decision to withdraw the FEIS and potentially work to address concerns demonstrates respect for Hawaiʻi law and a responsiveness by federal agencies to the views of the people of Hawaiʻi who made their voices heard."

As a result of the decision, this FEIS will not be presented to the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) for a determination of its acceptability. Pursuant to Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR) §11-200.1-28(g), if the Navy and NASA elect to submit another draft environmental impact statement, it shall meet all requirements for filing, distribution, publication, review, and notification as a draft EIS, including a new public-comment period.

Background

On August 14, 2026, the Navy and the NASA concurrently filed the final Pacific Missile Range Facility and Kōkeʻe Park Geophysical Observatory real estate environmental impact statementwith the DLNR and the state of Hawaiʻi Office of Planning and Sustainable Development Environmental Review Program (ERP). This set the original 30-day acceptance deadline for September 13, 2026.

The DLNR granted the Navy and NASA's request for a 15-day extension on September 4, 2026, pursuant to Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR) §11-200.1-28(e)(2)(B). This decision extended the acceptance deadline to September 29, 2026.

On September 14, 2026, however, DLNR suspended the acceptance deadline to protect the public's ability to participate in the review following the impacts of Hurricane Lowell on Kauaʻi. This decision, made pursuant to Governor Josh Green's Second Proclamation Relating to September 2026 Tropical Cyclones, was intended to provide the people of Kauaʻi a meaningful opportunity to participate in any consideration of the FEIS by the BLNR. Under the current version of the proclamation, the emergency period is set to expire on December 20, 2026 , but the withdrawal of the FEIS renders such deadline moot.

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