Department of Planning and Permitting

If a project includes any actions listed in Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 343-5, compliance with the State’s environmental review process is required. To complete the process, either:

1. The determining agency must declare the action exempt from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS) (agencies maintain lists of actions that are commonly exempt);
2. An environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact must be published (if significant environmental impacts are not anticipated); or
3. An environmental impact statement must be accepted and published (if significant environmental impacts are anticipated).

How do I complete an Environmental Assessment?

The State or county agency that initially receives and processes an application for  a discretionary approval is the agency that processes the environmental assessment. If the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) is the approving agency, follow the general steps below, and refer to our EA Instructions for more detailed information.

1. Pre-Consultation

The applicant must consult with the DPP, citizen groups (e.g. neighborhood board), neighbors, and other community stakeholders for feedback on the potential environmental impacts of the development. Pre-consultation will help identify issues to be discussed, as well as the scope of analysis required for each issue.

2. Apply

3. Payment

Environmental Assessments in Support of a Shoreline Setback Variance, or Special District Permit

Fees may be paid online in HNL Build in “outstanding fees”.  The review fee must be paid in order to complete the application submission. Alternatively, fees may be paid by check. If paying by check, submit two checks or money orders made out to the City & County of Honolulu for:

• A review fee of $200 (this is a non-refundable fee to review whether the application is complete); and
• A processing fee of $1,000 (this is returned if the application is incomplete).

Environmental Assessments in Support of a Major SMA Permit

• A review fee of $200 (this is a non-refundable fee to review whether the application is complete); and
• A processing fee of $1,200 (this is returned if the application is incomplete).

All other Environmental Assessments

• A review fee of $200 (this is a non-refundable fee to review whether the application is complete); and
• A processing fee of $400 (this is returned if the application is incomplete).

Checks or money orders that are more than 3 months (90 days) old will not be accepted. There is no fee for City agencies.

The fees are doubled when an applicant applies for a permit after being cited for taking action without obtaining necessary approvals.

Fee payments are not accepted online and must be delivered to:

Department of Planning and Permitting
650 South King Street, 7th Floor
Honolulu, HI 96813

The DPP reviews the application (referred to as the “draft EA”) and determines whether the development may have significant impacts. If the DPP anticipates a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), the DPP submits the draft EA along with its determination to the State’s Environmental Review Program for publication in the next edition of The Environmental Notice, which initiates a 30-day public comment period.

If the DPP determines that the development may have significant impacts, the applicant must prepare an environmental impact statement.

5. Finalize

Following the 30-day comment period, the applicant must prepare and submit a final EA that incorporates all written comments received and responses to those comments.

6. Review and Notify

The DPP reviews the final EA and makes a new determination.

• If the determination is a FONSI, the DPP submits the document and determination to the State’s Environmental Review Program for publication in the next edition of The Environmental Notice.
• If the determination is that there may be significant impacts, the DPP submits the final EA for publication as an Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice (EISPN), which initiates another 30-day public comment period. The applicant must prepare an environmental impact statement.

For more information on the EA process, please contact the DPP at (808) 768-8000 or email dpp@honolulu.gov.