Real Estate EIS Update: Public Involvement Summary Released

Mākaha Ridge, a key instrumented location on leased lands.

On behalf of the Department of the Navy and NASA Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) project team for the PMRF and Kōke‘e Park Geophysical Observatory (KPGO) Real Estate Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), mahalo nui loa for your engagement and participation in the EIS process!

Proactive communication with the public and agencies throughout the EIS process was a high priority for the Navy and NASA. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) public comment period started on June 20, 2025, with the publication of the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The Hawai‘i Environmental Policy Act (HEPA) public comment period started on June 23, 2025, with notice of the release of the Draft EIS in The Environmental Notice. The public comment period ended Aug. 7, 2025.

The purpose of public involvement and outreach during the comment period was to invite the public, elected officials, government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, Native Hawaiian Organizations, and all interested stakeholders to review and comment on the Draft EIS in accordance with NEPA and HEPA. These comments are valuable in shaping and refining the approach to analysis and assessing the potential
environmental impacts of the Proposed Action.

Easement land near PMRF used for farming.

During the public comment period, the Navy and NASA received 177 comments, which are being reviewed and will be carefully considered in the development of the Final EIS, currently scheduled for release in summer 2026. The Final EIS will include detailed responses to public comments.

The Navy and NASA have posted a summary of public comments received during the public review and comment period.

The Navy and NASA are committed to maintaining transparency throughout this process and will continue to meet regularly with federal, state, and local agencies as well as Native Hawaiian Organizations and Kaua‘i community groups throughout development of the Final EIS.

For more information, please visit the PMRF and KPGO project website.