Pacific Missile Range Facility and Kōkeʻe Park Geophysical Observatory Real Estate Environmental Impact Statement

The U.S. Navy and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are jointly preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of proposed real estate agreements with the State of Hawai‘i for the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) and the Kōkeʻe Park Geophysical Observatory (KPGO). The Navy and NASA invite the public to participate in the environmental planning process.

This project website provides the latest information on the EIS. Please review this site for:

• information on the status and schedule of the EIS
• documents and references available for review
• opportunities for public involvement

This website will be updated throughout the project. Please check back often for updates.

Public Involvement

The Navy and NASA held a public comment period on the Draft EIS from June 20, 2025, to August 7, 2025. During the public comment period, the Navy and NASA held three public meetings in July 2025 at three locations on Kaua‘i (Līhuʻe, Kekaha, and Kapaʻa) to provide project information to the public and to receive public comments on the Draft EIS. The meetings were also available online. The Final EIS, which is now available, includes responses to comments received on the Draft EIS.

Additionally, the Navy and NASA propose to implement Enhanced Engagement under the alternatives. These enhancements were developed in response to feedback received from the public during the scoping and public comment periods. Comments indicated that increased communication with the public and regulatory agencies regarding several ongoing programs could improve mutual understanding and cooperation. Additionally, comments also pointed to programs that, moving forward, could bridge the gap between the military and the community. This Enhanced Engagement is meant to be this bridge. Enhanced Engagment-4, PMRF Kauaʻi, is a quarterly newsletter distributed to over 300 individuals and organizations that was created as part of this EIS process and public feedback.

Next Steps

The Notice of Availability of the Final EIS will be published in the Federal Register on August 21, 2026. Following publication of the Final EIS on August 23, 2026, in The Environmental Notice, the Board of Land and Natural Resources will determine acceptability of the Final EIS in accordance with Hawai‘i Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 343 (referred to as “HEPA”) and publish their determination in The Environmental Notice. The Board of Land and Natural Resources meeting will be held on September 11, 2026. A 60-day HEPA wait period follows the Board of Land and Natural Resources’ publication of determination. The Navy and NASA will publish their own Record of Decision following a 30-day wait period. The Record of Decision is a concise public record that will address the Navy and NASA decisions.

Final EIS Availability

The Navy and NASA encourage the public to view the NEPA version and HEPA version of the Final EIS. The HEPA version shows changes from Draft to Final. Both the NEPA and HEPA versions of the Final EIS are available on the Documents page. A copy of the HEPA Final EIS will be available on the Environmental Review Program website at https://planning.hawaii.gov/erp/ and at the Waimea Public Library (Kaua‘i) and the Hawai‘i Documents Center (Hawai‘i State Library, O‘ahu).