Dedman v. Board of Land & Natural Resources

OPINION OF THE COURT BY

LUM, C.J.

I

This appeal presents us with various challenges to the approval of the development of geothermal energy in the Kilauea Middle East Rift Zone (“KMERZ”) on the island of Hawaii. The two separate appeals taken from the decisions of the Board of Land and Natural Resources (“Board”) were consolidated at oral argument as they present similar facts and issues to this court. Hawaii Rules of Appellate Procedure 3(b).

Both cases challenge the decision to permit geothermal energy development in the KMERZ area on the ground that it violates Appellants’ right to freely…