Moloka'i Ranch is giving the public more time to comment on the company's draft environmental impact statement for its controversial plan to develop luxury home lots at La'au Point on Moloka'i.

The affiliate of Moloka'i Properties Ltd. extended the deadline from Feb. 6 to Feb. 23 to comment on the report it filed with the state last month. The initial comment period, as required by law, was 45 days.

Moloka'i Ranch said it wants to ensure there is sufficient time for the community to review the 835-page report that contains assessments of potential economic, environmental, social, cultural, archaeological, marine and other impacts of the plan to develop 200 one-acre home lots at La'au.

The project has split the Moloka'i community, with some residents saying development will encroach on traditional fishing grounds and change the island's way of life by attracting outside investors.

Others support the plan because of project trade-offs that include reopening the Kaluakoi Hotel and preserving 50,000 acres of Moloka'i Ranch land by giving the land or perpetual restrictive easements on the land to a community trust.

The environmental report can be viewed at the Moloka'i public library, Moloka'i Ranch's office in Maunaloa, and at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs office in Kalama'ula. It is also available online at www.luc.state.hi.us/dockets/a06764molokai/a06764deis.pdf.

Comments should be addressed to PBR Hawai'i at 1001 Bishop St., ASB Tower, Suite 650, Honolulu, HI 96813.

Copies of comments should be sent to the State Land Use Commission at P.O. Box 2359, Honolulu, HI 96804, and the Office of Environmental Quality Control at 235 South Beretania St., Suite 702, Honolulu, HI 96813.