Presentation to the 2013 Hawaii Water Works Association Annual Conference, October 23 – 25, 2013, at Makena Beach and Golf Resort. The presentation gives an overall look at Hawaii's statewide land use and planning law and specifically where water resource is considered by decision-makers.

1. Water Resource Demand and Supply:
Hawaii’s Statewide Planning and Land
Use Framework
2013 Hawaii Water Works Association
Annual Conference
October 23 – 25, 2013
Makena Beach and Golf Resort
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2. Statewide
Land Use
and Planning
State Planning Act
HRS Chapter 226
State Land Use Law
HRS Chapter 205
Coastal Zone Management
Act
HRS Chapter 205A

3. A STATEWIDE PLANNING
SYSTEM
Part I: Overall Theme, Goals, Objectives and Policies
Population
Part III: Priority Guidelines
Economy
Economic
Physical
environment
Population Growth
Crime and criminal
justice
Affordable housing
Facility systems
Education
Sustainability
Socio-cultural
advancement
Climate Change
Adaptation
Part II: Statewide planning
system
Functional plans
County general plans
State programs
• Define and implement
Parts I and II
• Identify priority issues
• Implementing actions
• Desired population
• Physical development
patterns
• Further define Parts I and
II
• State budget
• Land Use Commission
• Board of Land and Natural
Resources

4. Statewide Plan
Water Objectives and Policies
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Physical Environmental
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Promote the proper management of Hawaii's land and water resources.
Promote effective measures to achieve desired quality in Hawaii's
surface, ground, and coastal waters.
Foster recognition of the importance and value of . . . water resources to Hawaii's
people, their cultures and visitors.
Facility Systems
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Coordinate development of land use activities with existing and potential water supply.
Support research and development of alternative methods to meet future water
requirements well in advance of anticipated needs.
Reclaim and encourage the productive use of runoff water and wastewater discharges.
Assist in improving the quality, efficiency, service, and storage capabilities of water
systems for domestic and agricultural use.
Support water supply services to areas experiencing critical water problems.
Promote water conservation programs and practices in government, private
industry, and the general public to help ensure adequate water to meet long-term
needs.

5. Statewide Plan
Priority Guidelines
S Sustainability
S Balanced economic, social, community, and environmental priorities
S Planning that respects and promotes living within the natural resources
and limits of the State
S Decisions based on meeting the needs of the present without
compromising the needs of future generations
S Climate Change Adaptation
S Prepare the State to address the impacts of climate change, including
impacts to . . . water resources
S Promote sector resilience in areas such as water . . . by encouraging
the identification of climate change threats, assessment of potential
consequences, and evaluation of adaptation options

6. Population Growth
1,800,000
1,600,000
1,400,000
1,200,000
1,000,000
800,000
600,000
400,000
200,000
0
Total
Hawaii
Honolulu
Kauai
Maui

7. Statewide Visitor Arrivals
(1,000s)
10,000
9,500
9,000
8,500
8,000
7,500
7,000
6,500
2010
2015
2020
2025
2030
2035
2040
Visitors 6,917
7,750
8,090
8,440
8,810
9,200
9,600

8. State Land
Use Law
To “preserve, protect and
encourage the development of
the lands in the State for those
uses to which they are best
suited for the public welfare.”
See L. 1961, c 187, § 1.

9. State Land Use Commission
S Nine Members
S Appointed by the Governor, Confirmed by the State
Senate
S District Boundary Amendments
S Special Permits
S Important Agricultural Lands Designations

10. State Land Use Commission
District Boundary Amendments
S The “commission shall specifically consider”
S State Plan Conformity
S Impact on “areas of state concern”
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Important natural systems
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Valued natural resources
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Natural resources relevant to Hawaii's economy
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Commitment of State resources
S County General/Community/Development Plans

11. State Land Use Commission
State District Boundaries
1969
2011
0% 3%
0%
5%
48%
47%
49%
48%
U
C
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13. State Land Use Commission
Special Permits
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County planning commission
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May permit certain unusual and
reasonable uses
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Within agricultural/rural districts
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Not allowed by right in the
agricultural/rural districts
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Protective restrictions may be applied
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Greater than fifteen acres, approved
by the LUC

14. State Land Use Commission
Important Agricultural Lands
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Eight Criteria to be Weighed by the
LUC
S “Land with sufficient quantities of
water to support viable
agricultural production[.]”
S “Land with or near support
infrastructure conducive to
agricultural productivity, such as .
. . Water[.]”
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LUC may remove IAL designation
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no longer available to allow
profitable farming[.]”

16. County Plans
Comprehensive long-range
plan or development plan
adopted by ordinance or
resolution by a county council.

17. County Plans
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Content Requirements
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Consistent with State Planning Act
Consideration statewide objectives, policies, and programs
Data, analyses, and input from state agencies and the general public
Population density, land use, transportation system location, public and community facility
locations, water and sewage system locations, visitor destinations, urban design
Implementation actions to carry out policies
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Land use maps
Programs
Projects
Regulatory measures
Standards and principles
Interagency coordination provisions

20. Coastal Zone
Management
Program
To “provide for the effective
management, beneficial
use, protection, and
development of the coastal
zone.” See L. 1977, c 188, §
1.

21. CZM Program
Permitting, Planning, Guidanc
e
S SMA Permitting
S Development shall cause minimum adverse effect to water resources
S Minimize development which would adversely affect water quality
S Federal Consistency Review
S Planning and Guidance
S Coastal Non-Point Source Pollution Control Program
S Low Impact Development Guidance
S Hawaii Watershed Guidance
S Cumulative & Secondary Impact: Stormwater Impact Assessment

22. References
S Population and Economic Projections for the State of
Hawaii to 2040, http://goo.gl/x4GQyZ
S Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapters 205, 205A, 225, and
226, www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent
S Office of Planning, planning.hawaii.gov
S Hawaii Land Use Law and
Policy, hilanduse.blogspot.com