DLNR News Release – DLNR GRANTS NAVY AND NASA 15-DAY EXTENSION ON FEIS FOR PMRF AND KŌKEʻE PARK GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY, Sept-05-2026

STATE OF HAWAIʻI

KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

JOSH GREEN, M.D.

GOVERNOR

KE KIAʻĀINA

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

KA ‘OIHANA KUMUWAIWAI ‘ĀINA

RYAN K.P. KANAKAʻOLE

CHAIRPERSON

KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

DAVID D. DAY

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

KA HOPE LUNA HOʻOKELE

DLNR GRANTS NAVY AND NASA 15-DAY EXTENSION ON FEIS FOR

PMRF AND KŌKEʻE PARK GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 05, 2026 

HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has granted a request from the Department of the Navy (Navy) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for a 15-day extension to their Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) and Kōkeʻe Park Geophysical Observatory. The FEIS is required as part of the Navy and NASA’s application to renew the leases on the state lands they currently utilize.  

 “We have heard from residents who are concerned that the FEIS could be automatically accepted on September 14 because it is not on the Board of Land and Natural Resources’ September 11 agenda. I want to assure everyone that we would not let that happen,” said BLNR Chairperson Ryan Kanakaʻole. “It is vital that the public have an opportunity to provide testimony on this matter — and it will.” 

The Navy and NASA concurrently filed the FEIS with the DLNR and the state of Hawaiʻi Office of Planning and Sustainable Development Environmental Review Program (ERP) on August 14, 2026, setting the original 30-day acceptance deadline for September 13, 2026. The DLNR granted the Navy and NASA’s request for the 15-day extension on September 4, 2026, pursuant to Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR) §11-200.1-28(e)(2)(B). 

Granting the 15-day extension provides a 45-day acceptance period, which is the maximum allowable time under the administrative rules. DLNR now has until September 29, 2026, to render its decision on the acceptance of the FEIS.  

 “The FEIS may still be placed on the BLNR’s September 25, 2026, agenda. The Navy and NASA could also choose to withdraw and resubmit their FEIS, which would result in consideration at a future date. Regardless of what occurs, the Department of Land and Natural Resources will keep the public informed,” said Chairperson Kanakaʻole.

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