LIHUE — The state is looking for input on coastal issues that aren’t covered by the laws and rules of Hawaii as part of an update to the statewide Hawaii Ocean Resources Management Plan.
Last updated in 2013 and under the purview of the Coastal Zone Management Program, the plan outlines management practices for ocean resources and coastal development.
Officials with the CZM will be on Kauai later this month to get feedback from residents, and will be accepting community weigh-in on things like data collection, mapping and management, addressing climate change and coastal erosion, and invasive species and watershed protection.
The plan also addresses coral reef health, sustainable fishing, the shipping and tourism industries, fishpond restoration and cultural preservation.
“Since 1985, longstanding partners have jointly addressed the state’s shared ocean and coastal resource management priorities as set forth by each plan update,” the state’s Office of Planning stated.
“With the help of the public input and agency expertise, the update process identifies management gaps and focus areas for the next five-year plan horizon.”
Details on the existing ORMP and on priorities for the update are on the Office of Planning website, planning.hawaii.gov/czm/ormp/, and there are several ways to comment on things important for Kauai as the state looks at this next five-year update of the plan.
The Kauai input session is Tuesday, Aug. 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall.
Those who cannot participate in person but would like to contribute to the plan update may submit written comments to the Office of Planning website.
