Honolulu, Hawaii: Navy and NASA Withdraw Kauai Missile Range Environmental Statement

The U.S. Navy and NASA have formally withdrawn the final environmental impact statement for the Pacific Missile Range Facility and the Kokee Park Geophysical Observatory on Kauai, ending the state review that was set to decide whether the document was acceptable under Hawaii law.

The Navy announced the withdrawal on Nov. 5 and said the agencies will amend the final statement before resubmitting it to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources in 2027. The statement covers state leased lands on Kauai used by the missile range and the observatory.

"We recognize we have an important opportunity to further enhance the EIS," said Rear Adm. Rich Jarrett, commander of Navy Region Hawaii. "The feedback we received has been valuable, and we are ready to put in extra effort to identify ways to further develop and refine the document, building on the significant work we have completed to date."

The state will not vote on this version

The Department of Land and Natural Resources said it had been notified of the withdrawal and welcomed it. Because the statement has been withdrawn, it will not be presented to the Board of Land and Natural Resources for a determination of its acceptability.

"DLNR commends the Navy and NASA for their decision to withdraw the FEIS, which we believe to be in the best interest of the people of Hawaii," said DLNR First Deputy Director Dave Day. He said the purpose of an environmental impact statement is to give decision makers and the public as much information as possible so that well reasoned decisions about the use of state land can be made under Hawaii law.

Day said the decision shows respect for Hawaii law and responsiveness to the people of Hawaii who made their voices heard, whether they agreed or disagreed with the project.

What a new filing would require

State rules set out what happens next. Under Hawaii Administrative Rules section 11-200.1-28(g), if the Navy and NASA elect to submit another draft environmental impact statement, it must meet all requirements for filing, distribution, publication, review and notification as a draft statement, including a new public comment period.

The Navy said the two agencies will work closely with the community and with the department throughout the process on the state leased lands on Kauai, and that they will continue to respond to department requests for clarification and information. The Navy also said the community will have an opportunity for public comment.

A review shaped by a hurricane

The Navy and NASA filed the final statement with the department and the state Office of Planning and Sustainable Development Environmental Review Program on Aug. 14, 2026. That filing set an original 30 day acceptance deadline of Sep. 13, 2026.

The department granted a 15 day extension on Sep. 4, moving the deadline to Sep. 29. On Sep. 14, the department suspended the deadline altogether to protect the public ability to take part in the review after Hurricane Lowell hit Kauai. The suspension was made under Governor Josh Green Second Proclamation Relating to September 2026 Tropical Cyclones and was meant to give Kauai residents a meaningful chance to take part in any board consideration of the statement.

The emergency period under the current version of that proclamation is set to expire on Dec. 20, 2026. The department said the withdrawal makes that deadline moot.