For an ocean state, Hawai'i has a scattered approach to managing its coastal resources — but the state Department of Land and Natural Resources is leading the charge to change that.

The agency is launching its own proposal for a Comprehensive Coastal Policy, but it hopes the project will expand to include the federal government, counties and other state agencies.

"Such a policy will establish common goals that will link and reinforce planning and decision-making among concerned agencies to protect beaches, coastal areas and near-shore waters," said Peter Young, DLNR chairman.

There are many areas in which policies are not consistent statewide, he said. For example, shoreline building setbacks differ in each county. State marine-protected areas can have dramatically different approaches — some allowing extensive commercial activity while others prohibiting any.

Young said one of the serious problems for coastal resources is polluted or sediment-filled runoff, but it's not clear that all government agencies address runoff issues with the same level of concern.

But because the coastal policy issue is such a big one, the department is starting by breaking it down into what it considers manageable "chapters." But each segment will look at what the agency feels are themes that run through all the coastal issues: government agency jurisdiction, cooperation between government agencies, public education and pulling together the resources to enact coastal policies.

The first four chapters will be prepared by four DLNR divisions:

An integrated shoreline policy is the focus of the department's Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands, which will work with the Hawai'i Ocean and Coastal Council, other government agencies and the public to look into issues such as shoreline certification, coastal building setbacks and coastal hazards.

The Division of Aquatic Resources will work on a chapter seeking consistent definitions and management of marine protected areas and marine managed areas.

The Division on Boating and Ocean Recreation will work on user conflicts in the ocean, and capacities for ocean recreation uses. A main goal will be to develop policies that minimize conflicts while protecting resources.

The Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement has launched an effort to review enforcement issues, but also to look at education efforts within the department, which could reduce the need for enforcement actions. The division will also study partnerships with other organizations and community groups that can help keep better control of the protection of coastal resources.

Young said the divisions will be holding public meetings and other sessions during the coming months. They will be listed at the department's Web site, www.hawaii.gov/dlnr.