Special Management Area (SMA) Permits

The SMA permit was established in 1975 with the enactment of Act 176, known as the Environmental Shoreline Protection Act where the legislature found that:

. . . special controls on developments within an area along the shoreline are necessary to avoid permanent losses of valuable resources and the foreclosure of management options, and to ensure that adequate access, by dedication or other means, to public owned or used beaches, recreation areas, and natural reserves is provided.

SMA permits are a management tool to ensure that uses, activities, or operations on land or in or under water within an SMA are designed and carried out in compliance with the Coastal Zone Management (CZM) objectives and policies, and SMA guidelines. Pursuant to Hawai’i Revised Statutes (HRS) § 205A-5, all state and county agencies shall enforce the CZM objectives and policies defined in HRS § 205A-2.

SMA permits regulate permissible land uses allowed by land use policies including county general plans, community development plans, and zoning designations.  Pursuant to HRS §§ 205A-28 and 29, the SMA permit is the first permit required for development within the SMA.  No agency authorized to issue permits pertaining to any development within the SMA shall authorize any development unless approval is first received in accordance with the procedures in Part II of HRS Chapter 205A.

SMA Permitting Process Overview

County Authority

With the enactment of Act 176, Session Laws of Hawai’i 1975, the legislature established the SMA regulatory function at the county level. The county authorities that administer SMA permits and shoreline setback provisions are as follows:

• County of Hawai’i: Windward or Leeward Planning Commissions
• County of Kaua’i: Kaua’i Planning Commission
• County of Maui: Maui, Moloka’i, or Lana’i Planning Commissions
• City & County of Honolulu: Honolulu City Council

The authority may amend its county SMA boundaries as necessary provided that any contraction of the SMA boundaries shall be subject to lead agency review and determination.

SMA Locator Online map

County Contacts

Detailed information regarding filing requirements for proposals can be obtained from the planning department of the county where the proposed activities are located.

County of Hawai’i Planning Department
East Hawai’i Office 808-961-8288
West Hawai’i Office 808-323-4770

County of Kaua’i Planning Department
SMA Permits 808-241-4050

County of Maui Planning Department
SMA Permits 808-270-7735

City & County of Honolulu Department of Planning & Permitting
SMA Permits 808-768-8015

Lead Agency’s Role in SMA Permitting

The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development (OPSD) serves as the lead agency in the administration and management of HRS Chapter 205A, the CZM law.  The purpose of the CZM Program is to “provide for the effective management, beneficial use, protection, and development of the Coastal Zone.” L. 1977, c188 §1. OPSD-CZM Program’s role in SMA permitting includes:

• Oversee the SMA permit system to ensure consistency
• Provide CZM/SMA training sessions to county SMA personnel and Planning Commissions
• Provide SMA permit guidance
• Review developments within the Kaka’ako and Kalaeloa Community Development Districts

Hawai’i CZM Program and counties collaboration to improve shoreline and coastal management

Participants Guide to the SMA Permit (6.2 MB)

Hawai’i CZM Program Guidance in SMA Permitting

FAQs for Amendments to Chapter 205A, enacted by Act 16, SLH 2020

Kaka’ako and Kalaeloa Community Development Districts

The Hawai‘i Community Development Authority (HCDA ) has planning and zoning jurisdiction over the Kaka’ako (within urban Honolulu) and Kalaeloa (at Barbers Point, O’ahu) community development districts.

Pursuant to HRS § 206E-8.5, no development is allowed in the SMA of Kaka’ako and Kalaeloa unless the OPSD first issues an SMA use approval. “Development” is defined in HRS § 205A-22, as amended.

The following SMA use application form and information are for proposed developments within the SMA of Kaka’ako or Kalaeloa:

Contact the CZM Program

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 808-587-2846