Hawaii State Office of Planning

From dKosopedia

The Hawaii State Office of Planning (OP) provides a guide to the development of Hawaii through a continuous process of comprehensive, long-range, and strategic planning. The purpose of this planning process is to meet the physical, economic, and social needs of Hawaii's people, and provide for the wise use of Hawaii's resources in a coordinated, efficient, and economical manner. This includes the conservation of natural, environmental, recreational, scenic, historic, and other limited and irreplacable resources which are required for future generations.

The OP looks at land use planning statewide and gathers input from different state agencies and uses the Hawaii State Plan as a guide. Section 205-18 of the State Land Use Law requires the Office of Planning conduct a statewide, comprehensive, policy-oriented examination of state land use district boundaries every five years. The review and its report and recommendations provide the Land Use Commission the opportunity to review urbanization proposals from a broad, long-range viewpoint.

The Hawaii State Office of Planning (OP) and the affected county planning agency are represented in all boundary amendment petitions heard by the Land Use Commission.

Presently OP is administratively located in the Hawaii State Department of Business, Economic Development, & Tourism (DBEDT).

The OP also administers the Hawaii State Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program. According to state law, state and county agencies must conduct their activities in compliance with coastal program objectives and policies. They also work together to improve planning and decision-making and to encourage appropriate use of resources. The Marine and Coastal Zone Management Advisory Group (MACZMAG), composed of state and local agencies and citizens groups, advises the program.

The CZM program is built upon ten policy areas:

Recreational Resources -- To provide coastal recreational opportunities accessible to the public and protect coastal resources uniquely suited for recreational activities that cannot be provided elsewhere.
Historic Resources -- To protect, preserve, and where desirable, restore those natural and manmade historic and prehistoric resources in the coastal zone management area that are significant in Hawaiian and American history and culture.
Scenic and Open Space Resources -- To protect, preserve, and where desirable, restore or improve the quality of coastal scenic and open space resources.
Coastal Ecosystems -- To protect valuable coastal ecosystems, including reefs, from disruption and minimize adverse impacts on all coastal ecosystems.
Economic Uses -- To provide public or private facilities and improvements important to the state's economy in suitable locations; and ensure that coastal dependent development such as harbors and ports, energy facilities, and visitor facilities, are located, designed, and constructed to minimize adverse impacts in the coastal zone area.
Coastal Hazards -- To reduce hazard to life and property from tsunami, storm waves, stream flooding, erosion, subsidence, and pollution.
Managing Development -- To improve the development review process, communication, and public participation in the management of coastal resources and hazards.
Public Participation -- To stimulate public awareness, education, and participation in coastal management; and maintain a public advisory body to identify coastal management problems and provide policy advice and assistance to the CZM program.
Beach Protection -- To protect beaches for public use and recreation; locate new structures inland from the shoreline setback to conserve open space and to minimize loss of improvements due to erosion.
Marine Resources -- To implement the state's ocean resources management plan.

The CZM program includes a permit system to control development within a Special Management Area (SMA) managed by the Counties and the Office of Planning; a Shoreline Setback Area which serves as a buffer against coastal hazards and erosion, and protects view-planes.

Laura Thielen, a private attorney and outspoken member of the Board of Education was appointed director of the state Office of Planning on April 2005. On July 27, 2007 Thielen was appointed interim director of the DLNR. Abbey S. Mayer was then nominated by Gov. Linda Lingle to replace Thielen as head of the Office of Planning. At present, the Hawaii State Senate is reviewing his nomination.

External Links

Office of Planning (State of Hawaii)
Lingle's Change of Guard at Planning Office Expands Authority of DLNR Administrator (Environmnet Hawaii Jan 2004)
Hawaii Coastal Zone Management Program (State of Hawaii)
Planning in Hawaii - State Controls (American Planning Association - Hawaii Chapter)
Leone, Diana. Senate panel hears accolades for DLNR leader Honolulu Star-Bulletin, October 26, 2007.
White, Doug. Office of Planning nominee potentially a lightning rod Poinography!', February 24, 2008.
Zimmerman, Malia. Senate Chair Takes Confirmation Hearing to Molokai Hawaii Reporter, February 29, 2008.
Bill Status, Text, Committee Reports, and Testimony: GM258 Hawaii State Legislature.

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This page was last modified 07:10, 1 March 2008 by dKosopedia user Jbet777. Based on work by dKosopedia user(s) Allamakee Democrat. Content is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.