A 30-day public review period is now underway for the draft statewide historic preservation plan Papahana Kāʻeuʻeu: Hawaiʻi’s Plan for Living Heritage Stewardship.
The plan — composed by State Historic Preservation Division of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources — will guide how state, county agencies, Native Hawaiian organizations and communities work together to identify, protect and steward Hawaiʻi’s historic and cultural resources from 2026 through 2034.
Members of the public are invited to read the draft plan during the 30-day review period and provide written comments about its goals, objectives and proposed actions.
The draft plan reflects the statewide public input conducted in 2022 and 2025, including public meetings in 2022, responses from 297 community members through a statewide survey and 10 facilitated virtual focus groups representing Native Hawaiian organizations, Island Burial Councils, cultural practitioners, preservation professionals, government agencies and community stakeholders.
It also responds to what the public said matters most: prioritizing Native Hawaiian cultural heritage, protecting iwi kūpuna and burial sites, improving early consultation, integrating preservation into planning and strengthening community-based stewardship.
How to participate
- Read the draft plan: The full document is available online.
- Submit written comments: Use the comment form on the above project website.
- Attend a public information session: Virtual sessions are planned during the review window. Additionally, opportunities for public comment will be available at county cultural resource commission meetings and during the May 15 Hawaiʻi Historic Places Review Board meeting. Dates, times and registration links are posted on the above project website.
All comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. May 29 to be considered in the final draft.
“Over the past 3 years, [State Historic Preservation Division] has initiated an extensive outreach effort to receive input from a broad cross section of our community. This truly is our state’s plan,” said State Historic Preservation Division Administrator Jessica Puff in announcing the comment period. “Its success depends on partnerships across state and county agencies, Native Hawaiian organizations and communities.”
Puff added that the 30-day review period is the public’s last formal opportunity to influence the document before it goes to National Park Service for review.
Statewide historic preservation planning is required under the National Historic Preservation Act and state law.
Papahana Kāʻeuʻeu, once finalized, will serve as the framework for the state’s historic preservation efforts.
Click here for more information, to read the draft plan or submit comments.
Courtesy Photo: Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources- Courtesy Photo: Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources
