[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,75,87],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6547715,"mediaKeyId","3383439-16faea51d60b097597494c322605e9c7","parentId",3383439,"title","Commission approves two‑year payment plan for DIBS Hawaii’s Kauai biochar facility, commission asks for community engagement on water and dust","audioSeconds",1866,"startMs",4930000,"endMs",6796000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3383439-16faea51d60b097597494c322605e9c7&start=4930&end=6796","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3383439-16faea51d60b097597494c322605e9c7/thumbnail_4930000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6547715/Hawaii/Commission-approves-twoyear-payment-plan-for-DIBS-Hawaiis-Kauai-biochar-facility-commission-asks-for-community-engagement-on-water-and-dust","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6547715-c4d47e2b43f427959e015e4372c0fed0/orig.mp4?Expires=1769877412&Signature=Pag5RcyQjckaIefWkf0Qg~M7cioYSSrejpFXj4Yqqv7wRGBu-Ca31~i7760CI1f4Wxy74cUDZO~jU5g~xnyN3w6gSnUka8hVt3YB8nfTxsepcpZq3ODTgjeNcowUtAFs1cK1oZd-dTeyKOVX3MgXuX7TqyXsGwHYkuq6YOcX1sBqbNpIVkP26AdpgPObZU2P1CY9RNxNRaoxt-pTVS9MrKqr1RVooKrN0yDkHedqN5zUoVM0SCsCfKOSRzj--fu7UBr3ppYvGiuC4Rm~drzYYFDO4U7K4Bewae6kQ4X8ZX4DftF6AB1oPuWBoAGaj3kiQ3E4e0AogNv4Hg-tIRXx1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hawaii - Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), Department of","date","2025-05-20T01:14:26Z","article","The Hawaiian Homes Commission on May 19 approved a payment‑plan request from DIBS Hawaii for General Lease No. 275, the site proposal to operate a biochar/carbon‑capture facility on DHHL lands on Kauaʻi. The commission approved a multi‑year deferment payment schedule to give the operator runway to recommission the facility and pursue carbon‑credit sales and other revenue streams.

DIBS Hawaii and its partners told commissioners the project would deploy biochar production from local feedstocks — including macadamia shells and gorse — for soil improvement, fire mitigation and sale of carbon credits. Company representatives said the site contains roughly 15,000 tons of macadamia shell feedstock on site (a two‑year inventory at their projected throughput) and described plans to process feedstocks into durable biochar for local agricultural deployment.

Company leaders and partners emphasized workforce development and community benefits, including pathways to hire island residents and the potential to return biochar to local farms at no cost using carbon‑credit revenue. DIBS representatives also described coordination with native Hawaiian partners and proposed a new operating entity, Ag Energy Hawaii, to hold the biochar operating business with native Hawaiian ownership.

Commissioners asked about feedstock logistics, emissions and community impacts. Community testifiers raised concerns about water access for neighboring communities, truck traffic and dust from nearby industrial activity, and sought a meeting with DIBS staff to clarify community benefits and mitigation plans. DIBS representatives said they had acquired the plant assets and expected to scale operations; they described pursuing a suite of funding sources including special‑purpose revenue bonds authorized by Act 198 (S.B. 2865) — a $40 million bond authorization mentioned in testimony — and pre‑sales of carbon credits to provide startup runway.

The commission motion to approve the payment plan was offered by Commissioner Chris Freitas and seconded; commissioners approved the plan by voice vote. The transcript records no named roll‑call tally but shows unanimous voice approval. Several commissioners asked DIBS to meet directly with the nearby community and with state and county officials about water and dust mitigation before full operations begin.

Clarifying details recorded in testimony include: the site operator’s statement that the facility is capable of processing multiple feedstocks and that biochar deployment could be used for soil nutrient retention, water retention and fire mitigation; that some feedstocks (macadamia shell) are expected to qualify for high‑tier carbon credits; and that the company expects pre‑sales of carbon credits and pending state special‑purpose revenue bond authority (Act 198 / S.B. 2865) to support the capital program.

The department will record the payment plan approval on General Lease No. 275, monitor the operator’s compliance with lease conditions and track required environmental and community mitigation. Community members and commissioners requested a follow‑up update (suggested timeline: next island meeting/quarterly) on environmental controls, community benefits, and progress on water‑access arrangements.

Ending: The payment plan clears the way for the operator to restart and stabilize the Kauaʻi biochar facility, while commissioners and community members pressed for clear agreements on water access, dust control and local hiring.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hawaiian Homes Commission Regular Meeting - May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Hawaiian Homes Commission approved a two‑year deferred payment plan for General Lease No. 275, allowing DIBS Hawaii to recommission a dormant biochar/carbon‑capture facility on DHHL land on Kauaʻi while the company pursues carbon‑credit revenues and local feedstock processing.","taxTitle","Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), Department of, Executive , Hawaii","taxId",26070,"location","Hawaii","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":76,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":77,"_40":78,"_42":79,"_44":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6547719,"Hawaiian Homes Commission approves temporary permit and 20-year license framework for Anahola’s Kumu Camp, removes deposit and documentation fee",2487,2361000,4848000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3383439-16faea51d60b097597494c322605e9c7&start=2361&end=4848","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3383439-16faea51d60b097597494c322605e9c7/thumbnail_2361000.jpg","/articles/6547719/Hawaii/Hawaiian-Homes-Commission-approves-temporary-permit-and-20-year-license-framework-for-Anaholas-Kumu-Camp-removes-deposit-and-documentation-fee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6547719-a3bb003d375f6c42b0f907351bdcacc4/orig.mp4?Expires=1769877412&Signature=EnOISa0jzt9-qWMbIYHZvhK6MYRSilbftgajjjBWTtUTxOu4t85K5UJqBSAQtZMgyXY06A4EmNVjyZTP7hv1WSXa8Cd5giPeqGup1xJCNakPjTzjbz8VLiB~r2mUR6EQKKHLX8at6sTCDe8ZyqHslhwSYNH3hlG9E0ZorczxmuhWV48LtoSUu1SqK3MAFISAzBJR9vIktrzV4L920GenE0Anc-nZmDvhLsjwKEAUcBk1968CyrsGpYk4qd-JVBv9kqkzNLR~1pn09Mf5rEB9pAht53Z9TCmxHU8kDXebTDznXofoTzMUltebuEPy0RiPRm7q0-bfo18h7u1DNDhZug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hawaiian Homes Commission on May 19 approved issuance of a temporary revocable permit and preliminary approval for a 20‑year license agreement to the Homestead Community Development Corporation (HCDC) for Kumu Camp in Anahola, Kauaʻi, and adopted amendments to the proposed permit conditions that removed a security deposit and a documentation-processing fee.

The vote came after beneficiaries and HCDC representatives described Kumu Camp as a long-running, beneficiary-driven effort intended to deter drug use and provide youth programming, training and cultural exchanges. HCDC representatives told the commission the campground has survived multiple administrative changes and now operates largely on community funds and volunteer effort.

Commission discussion focused on enforcement, community outreach, revenue treatment for homestead association licensees and the department’s policy approach to requiring audited financial statements from license holders. Commissioner Chris Neves moved an amendment to remove the security-deposit requirement and to waive the documentation fee listed in exhibit B of the staff submittal; commissioners approved the amendment and then approved the amended motion as a whole.

HCDC chair Kipukai Kuili told the commission Kumu Camp was established as an anti‑drug, youth‑empowerment project and that many of the campground design elements and fundraising came from homestead beneficiaries. “Kumu Camp has probably suffered more misinformation than anything,” Kuili said during testimony, asking the commission to preserve the beneficiary-driven stewardship of the site. Liliya (HCDC) and other witnesses described multiple community programs the nonprofit now runs, from youth camps to a certified kitchen and a small-marketplace project in Anahola.

Kaipo Duncan, land agent for Kauaʻi, told the commission the department would first issue a temporary revocable permit for HCDC to address the items shown in exhibit B; after HCDC comes into compliance the department will seek approval for a 20‑year license. Commissioner Neves and HCDC representatives said they want written agreements with the department’s enforcement unit and the county for coordinated responses to illegal activity on adjacent parcels and the beach; commissioners also asked staff to pursue memoranda of agreement with the county where appropriate.

The commission directed the department to: complete continued beneficiary consultation for any future expansions; clarify how license income and reporting requirements will apply across DHHL land tools; work with enforcement to maintain an active presence at the site; and bring a proposed policy on fee-setting and financial reporting for homestead land instruments back to the commission before applying any routine audited‑financial requirement to homestead associations.

The motion as amended removes the security deposit and the documentation-processing fee from exhibit B and maintains a $20-permit processing fee until the commission adopts a broader fee/pricing policy. There was no roll-call vote recorded on the transcript; the chair called the motion carried after commissioners verbally approved the amended motion.

Commissioners and HCDC leaders said the permit and eventual license are intended to give the homestead association a clear, long-term land instrument while preserving beneficiary stewardship. HCDC and supporters asked the department to treat Kumu Camp as a nonprofit, community‑oriented site rather than commercial enterprise and suggested a ‘gratis’ or low-fee approach be used until the commission adopts a formal pricing policy.

The department will return to the commission with the finalized license instrument and any required follow-up action once the temporary permit-holder has satisfied the compliance items listed in exhibit B and the department has worked with enforcement and county partners on coordination.

Votes recorded in the transcript show the amended motion passed by voice vote; the submittal and exhibit B remain the operative documents for implementation steps and the enforcement and fee-policy directions the commission requested.

Ending: The commission’s action formalizes HCDC’s stewardship role at Kumu Camp while requiring better coordination with DHHL enforcement and county partners, and it directs staff to draft a fee/pricing policy for homestead license revenue and reporting before expanding reporting requirements for homestead associations.","The Hawaiian Homes Commission on May 19 approved a temporary revocable permit and preliminary approval for a 20‑year license agreement for Kumu Camp in Anahola, Kauaʻi, awarding Homestead Community Development Corporation (HCDC) a path toward a formal land instrument while removing a proposed security deposit and a documentation-processing fee and keeping a $20 permit processing charge pending a departmentwide fee policy.",{"_32":88,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":89,"_40":90,"_42":91,"_44":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6547711,"Votes at a glance: commission approves multiple lease awards, revocable permits and master-plan FONSI on Kauaʻi",6762,1613000,8375000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3383439-16faea51d60b097597494c322605e9c7&start=1613&end=8375","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3383439-16faea51d60b097597494c322605e9c7/thumbnail_1613000.jpg","/articles/6547711/Hawaii/Votes-at-a-glance-commission-approves-multiple-lease-awards-revocable-permits-and-master-plan-FONSI-on-Kauaʻi","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6547711-757d287a4627c433b8ce35a9d3dd43bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1769877412&Signature=a-MIinB1eR10TB5QXCpsm9ljM353MqWurK6jecuwlevgXcSO7xNAlMBrNjf1asLIXx1VGN~v4sTnZcf9T0uJBXPO1KKD1jQMWJ6JiDouECyt0fHf4cIY6XpsvZMslwDCVDb6xBfjMzBh2BzUaFrHfwAVshOK1KLw9uLRYBGS1yH9uu0hmSViKSemacWIl6HMb0EbUWF~QkqvHNTnRA77SVKOfyRk2HELK3jR6khhqEquxZlBq2vt8H5qnsz94DeSiCHFSFFgAEPkyHrMuQ4q~LJvEN47E2AOUv2FHsnQtSdIs2yFFJfCIgoIHr7x9NISJ2VfkE0vue1fyGBY9cDHfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hawaiian Homes Commission on May 19 voted on a series of consent and action items. Most motions were carried by voice vote; where a commissioner recused, it is noted.

Summary of actions recorded on the transcript:

- Consent agenda (D2–D14): commissioners approved 13 items on the consent calendar, including homestead services items and application/lot administration matters. (Motion carried by voice vote.)

- E1 — Approval of lease awards, Kaʻulokahai Subdivision (Koolokahi Subdivision increments 2D, 2E, 2F): Motion carried by voice vote. Department staff confirmed commencement dates will be amended when lots are assigned.

- E2 — Approval of residential project lease awards for Puʻohana Subdivision Phase 2 (99‑year project leases): Motion carried by voice vote.

- E3 — Approval of residential project leases for Kāʻuaʻiai Subdivisions (99‑year project leases): Motion carried by voice vote.

- E4 — Approval of lease awards for Villages 1 & 2 Subdivision (99‑year project leases): Commissioner Chris Neves recused because a relative appeared on the list; motion carried by voice vote for remaining commissioners.

- F1 — Annual renewal of revocable permits for the island of Kauaʻi: Motion carried. Department staff noted need to track DCCA compliance and monitor possible illicit activity on right‑of‑entry parcels.

- F2 — (Discussed in detail) Preliminary approval and revocable permit to Homestead Community Development Corporation (Kumu Camp, Anahola) with amended terms (security deposit and documentation fee removed; $20 permit processing fee retained pending fee policy): Amended motion carried by voice vote. (See separate article.)

- F3 — Approval of payment plan for General Lease No. 275 (DIBS Hawaii): Motion carried by voice vote. (See separate article for details.)

- F4 — Approval to issue a right of entry permit to Habitat for Humanity for DHHL lands at Kakinah Lot, Waimānalo, Oʻahu: Motion carried by voice vote.

- F5 — Approval to issue a right of entry to Papakōlea Community Development Corporation, Honolulu, Oʻahu: Motion carried by voice vote.

- E6 — (Information only) Issuance of project leases while selectees await construction at Puhana Phase 1 (project leases allow awardees to designate 25% successorship to protect legacy while awaiting home construction). Department staff clarified status and process; no vote required.

- G1 — Declaration of Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Waku (Wakiu) Homestead Development Master Plan (Hana, East Maui): Commission accepted the final EA and issued a FONSI; staff will publish the final EA and begin the 30‑day legal challenge period per State rules.

For each approved item, department staff said they will follow their standard post‑approval steps (execute instruments, commence environmental mitigation as required, and coordinate with county and enforcement where appropriate). The transcript shows the majority of these matters were routine consent and project leases; the most substantive debates and amendments were on items F2 (Kumu Camp license/permitting) and F3 (DIBS payment plan).

Ending: The meeting advanced multiple homestead project leases and approvals intended to move lots toward award and construction and cleared key permissions for community projects and a commercial biochar operator, while commissioners required follow-up on enforcement, fee policy, water access and community engagement for selected items.","At the May 19 Hawaiian Homes Commission meeting in Poʻipu, commissioners approved a slate of lease awards, revocable-permit renewals, a right‑of‑entry for nonprofit projects, and issued a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the Wakiu/Waku homestead master plan on Maui. Several items were acted on by voice vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves two‑year payment plan for DIBS Hawaii’s Kauai biochar facility, commission asks for community engagement on water and dust

Hawaiian Homes Commission approves temporary permit and 20-year license framework for Anahola’s Kumu Camp, removes deposit and documentation fee

Votes at a glance: commission approves multiple lease awards, revocable permits and master-plan FONSI on Kauaʻi