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Environmental groups and OHA warn bill to expand SMA exemptions is overbroad; committee advances amended measure
Summary
Opponents including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Sierra Club told the Senate committee HB 1823 would roll back critical shore‑area protections by exempting a broad list of projects from Special Management Area permits; sponsors and OPSD said amendments will narrow the scope and the committee advanced the bill for further work focused on Lahaina and clarifying language.
Senators drew extended testimony and debate over HB 1823, a bill that would exempt certain activities from Special Management Area (SMA) permit requirements and, in some cases, exempt state, federal and county infrastructure projects from environmental assessment requirements.
Lealoha Makuinani of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs told the committee the bill "uses language that overextends the bill's stated intent to streamline essential public infrastructure" and warned it could sweep in private…
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