Overview

The United States Congress enacted the federal Coastal Zone Management Act in 1972. To comply with the Act, the Hawaii State Legislature passed Public Law 92-583: The Hawaii Coastal Zone Management Act of 1977.

The State law contains a number of wide ranging objectives and policies. These are intended to guide the conservation and development of land and water resources within the coastal zone in light of competing demands for limited and sensitive coastal resources. Hawaii’s designated coastal zone includes all land areas of the state and extends seaward three miles to the limit of the state’s jurisdiction.

Federal Level

At the federal level, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) administers the federal coastal zone management program and regularly evaluates each participating State's coastal management programs to ensure consistency and provide funding of coastal projects and programs.

To date, 34 coastal states have federally-approved CZM programs with NOAA first approving the Hawaii Coastal Zone Management Program in 1978.

State Level

At the State level, the Hawaii Coastal Zone Management Program was built upon existing functional state and county agencies that comprise the Hawaii CZM network. All agencies must assure that their statutes, ordinances, rules, and actions comply with the CZM objectives and policies.
  

Responsibilities

The Maui County Planning Department administers County SMA permits and shoreline setback provisions under the Hawaii 

Other Reports

• Beach Management Plan for Maui, June 2008
• Lanai Special Management Area Boundary Amendment Adopted Map and Report
• Maui County online atlas for shoreline access - with over 200 public access locations and their features