Hanamaulu Bluff Development EISPN Filed, Community Urged to Comment
A newly filed Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice for the Hanamāʻulu Village project was posted in late October, prompting a county scoping meeting and a 30 day public comment window. The proposed master planned development would cover about 442 acres along the Hanamāʻulu bluff and has raised local concerns about scale, shoreline and transportation impacts, and the adequacy of initial planning materials.
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The State Environmental Review Program posted an Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice for the project known as Hanamāʻulu Village, following a community alert from Friends of Mahaʻulepu on October 30, 2025. The filing, which is available through the Environmental Notice and the state ERP file, initiates the formal environmental review pursuant to HRS 343 and requests a General Plan amendment as part of early planning for a proposed master planned community on roughly 442 acres along the Hanamāʻulu bluff.
Project materials filed at the EISPN stage describe a mixed use development by Somers West or a Somers West affiliate that would include residential units, some visitor accommodations, commercial centers, parks and open space, and supporting infrastructure changes. Earlier project documents referenced approximately 1,200 housing units in total, with reports indicating that about 700 of those units could be deed restricted for island residents. The EISPN posting provides project details, the process timeline and contact information for submitting comments, and establishes a 30 day public comment window as part of the environmental review process.
County officials and the project team hosted a public scoping and open house meeting on November 3, 2025 at the Outrigger Kaua‘i Beach Resort. Friends of Mahaʻulepu encouraged residents to attend the meeting, to review the EISPN documents, and to submit comments during the state review period. The community group emphasized concerns about the project s scale, and noted that at the time of the filing, submitted documents were at the EISPN level and did not include detailed site plans. The group also raised questions about potential impacts to shoreline access, trail connections and transportation links serving Hanamāʻulu and surrounding neighborhoods.
For Kauai residents, the filing signals a significant potential change to an area that combines coastal environment, cultural resources and existing residential communities. Proponents frame the project as addressing housing needs and offering a range of housing types, including deed restricted units for island residents. Critics and nearby residents are likely to focus on how the development could affect coastal erosion, public access to shoreline trails, local traffic patterns and county infrastructure capacity.
The environmental review under HRS 343 will require a public scoping process, an evaluation of potential impacts and consideration of mitigation measures. The EISPN filing marks the start of that process and provides the formal avenue for community input. Residents who wish to participate in the review are advised to consult the Environmental Notice and the state ERP file for the full EISPN document and for instructions on submitting comments during the posted public comment window.
