State Department of Land and Natural Resources officials are looking at ways to allow commercial activities on public lands on Kaua‘i and on other islands that are not being used by government agencies. DLNR officials will hold simultaneous statewide public
State Department of Land and Natural Resources officials are looking at ways to allow commercial activities on public lands on Kaua‘i and on other islands that are not being used by government agencies.
DLNR officials will hold simultaneous statewide public hearings on Thursday, Feb. 5 to receive public input on proposed rule changes to establish a commercial use permitting system on “unencumbered lands.”
Such lands are not leased, set aside to agencies or are designated under an executive order of the state for any particular use, DLNR officials said.
The Kaua‘i meeting will be held in conference rooms A, B and C at the State Building at 3060 Eiwa Street in Lihu‘e. The meeting starts at 6 p.m.
Where such “unencumbered lands” exist on Kaua‘i was not immediately identified by DLNR officials.
But in the past, farmers and ranchers leased more than 6,000 acres in East Kaua‘i for their operations. The acreage was leased to Lihue Plantation Company, but the land was given back when cane operations ended in recent years.
DLNR officials said unencumbered lands often include coastal areas and beaches that are not managed by government agencies.
Officials said unencumbered lands do not include parks, harbors, forest reserves and other lands with designated uses.
On the need for a permit system for unencumbered public lands, DLNR chairperson Peter Young said “We want to set up a permit process so businesses willing to follow the process and provide a quality experience for visitors or residents can do so in an appropriate way — protecting the natural and cultural resources of an area.”
The management priorities of the permit systems are to protect natural and cultural resources; provide for public recreational uses and provide for commercial uses that don’t compromise the quality of natural resources or public uses, Young said.
The proposed rules changes can be seen on www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/land/draftrules. On Kaua‘i, people can to go the DLNR office at 3060 Eiwa Street in Lihu‘e.
Staff writer Lester Chang can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) and lchang@pulitzer.net
