HCC §14-120
Definitions for this article
Read the official text at hawaiicounty.gov ↗This section defines key terms used in this article. It explains what the planning department and its director mean, and defines drilling and hydraulic fracturing (fracking). It is only a definitions section, so it does not create any rules or requirements.
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The ordinance, as written (Hawaiʻi County) — Definitions
A copy, taken August 21, 2026. The version published by Hawaiʻi County is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.
As used in this article, unless the context requires otherwise: “Department” means the planning department. “Director” means the director of the planning department, or the director’s authorized representative(s). “Drilling operation” means the boring, piercing, or penetration into an underground geologic formation. “Hydraulic fracturing” means a drilling operation into an underground geologic formation and the injection of fluids, gases, chemicals, sand or any other substance with the intention to cause or enhance fractures in the geologic formation for the purpose of instigating or increasing the porosity or permeability of the geologic formation to initiate or increase the production of a desired commodity from a well. Hydraulic fracturing is also known as “fracking,” “hydro-fracking,” “hydro-fracturing,” “hydro- shearing,” “hydraulic shearing,” “hydro-stimulation,” or “enhanced geothermal drilling.” (2013, ord 13-115, sec 2.)14-120 SUPP. 13 (1-2023) 14-48.2 GENERAL WELFARE § 14-121
Published by the County of Hawaiʻi Office of the County Clerk.
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.