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| State of Hawaiʻi Office of Planning | |
|---|---|
| Agency name | State of Hawaiʻi Office of Planning |
| Jurisdiction | Hawaiʻi |
| Headquarters | Honolulu |
| Parent agency | Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (Hawaii) |
State of Hawaiʻi Office of Planning The Office of Planning is the state-level planning agency in Hawaiʻi responsible for land use, coastal management, and spatial planning across the Island of Hawaiʻi (island), Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, and Niʻihau. It works with state leaders such as the Governor of Hawaii, legislative bodies including the Hawaii State Legislature, and local entities like the City and County of Honolulu to implement policies under statutes such as the Hawaii State Planning Act and the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972.
The office traces roots to mid-20th century territorial planning initiatives influenced by figures like John A. Burns and federal programs such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development planning grants. During the 1960s and 1970s it interacted with commissions including the Land Use Commission (Hawaii) and agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on projects similar to those of Daniel K. Inouye and programs funded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Legislative milestones included amendments associated with the Hawaii State Constitution revisions and policies promoted by governors such as George Ariyoshi and Ben Cayetano. The office has evolved alongside regional entities like the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and federal partners such as the Environmental Protection Agency.
The office advances statewide planning objectives articulated in the Hawaii State Plan and administers components of the Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program while supporting statutory duties under laws such as the State Planning Act. It provides technical assistance to counties—City and County of Honolulu, County of Maui, County of Hawaii, County of Kauai—on issues intertwined with agencies including the Department of Land and Natural Resources (Hawaii), Department of Transportation (Hawaii), Department of Health (Hawaii), and federal partners like the National Park Service for sites such as Haleakalā National Park and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
The office is organized into divisions responsible for statewide planning, coastal zone management, geographic information systems (GIS), and community planning. It collaborates with boards and commissions including the Land Use Commission (Hawaii), Hawaii Community Development Authority, and advisory bodies such as the State Ethics Commission (Hawaii) where project review overlaps. Leadership reports to the Governor of Hawaii and coordinates with the Hawaii State Legislature through testimony processes similar to those used by agencies like the Department of Education (Hawaii).
Key programs include the Coastal Zone Management Program, statewide spatial data systems akin to the Hawaii Geospatial Office, resilience planning aligned with initiatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Office of Hawaiian Affairs engagement on cultural preservation. Initiatives have paralleled efforts by organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and Sierra Club (U.S.) for conservation planning, and have contributed to projects resembling the Pacific Islands Climate Change Cooperative and collaborations with institutions like the University of Hawaiʻi system, including University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa research centers.
The office addresses land use designations that intersect with programs managed by the Land Use Commission (Hawaii), coastal zone regulations under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, and community plans reflecting input from entities like the Hawaii County Planning Department and Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation. Policies consider traditional and cultural resources connected to organizations such as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, historic preservation frameworks like the National Register of Historic Places, and environmental statutes enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Health (Hawaii).
Coordination extends to federal partners including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Federal Emergency Management Agency, as well as state agencies such as the Department of Land and Natural Resources (Hawaii), Department of Transportation (Hawaii), and Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. The office partners with non-governmental organizations including The Nature Conservancy, Trust for Public Land, Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance, advocacy groups like Hawaiian Civic Club, and academic centers such as East-West Center and Hawaiʻi Natural Energy Institute for research, outreach, and implementation.
Critiques have involved disputes over land use approvals reminiscent of controversies involving the Kūhiō Highway widening debates, contentious projects similar to those at Mākua Valley, and tensions between development interests represented by business groups like the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce and conservation advocates including Conservation Council for Hawaiʻi. Allegations of insufficient community consultation have drawn comparisons to conflicts surrounding the Thirty Meter Telescope protests and have prompted scrutiny from legislative committees and grassroots organizations such as Lahui Hawaii. Debates often invoke constitutional provisions in the Hawaii State Constitution and regulatory interpretations by entities like the Land Use Commission (Hawaii).
Category:State agencies of Hawaii