HILO — The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) is implementing Phase 2 of ungulate control programs in the Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a (PWW) Forest Reserve, pursuant to Title 13, Chapter 123, “Rules Regulating Game Mammal Hunting,” §13-123-9, “Nuisance or crop damage.”

HONOLULU – Many of the coral colonies around the Main Hawaiian Islands, impacted by a late 2014 bleaching event are showing signs of recovery. Bleaching is a stress response, which causes corals to lose algae and color from their tissue, making them appear snow white. The fall bleaching of corals in 2014; mostly in shallow waters off Oahu, Kauai, and Maui was caused when sea temperatures spiked at 86 degrees.

LIHUE, KAUAI -- Hunting Unit A on the island of Kauai will open to feral pig hunting starting Sunday, February 1, 2015, and ending June 28, 2015 on Saturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays. Hawaii residents interested in hunting feral pig in Hunting Unit A are required to acquire a permit from the Kauai DOFAW office. All provision of Chapter 123 rules and Chapter 123 Exhibit 1 shall remain in effect.

LIHUE, KAUAI - The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife announces an opportunity for interested individuals to assist the Division in an animal control hunt of feral goats in Hunting Unit F on Kauai, pursuant to Title 13, Chapter 123, “Rules Regulating Game Mammal Hunting,” §13-123-9, “Nuisance or crop damage.” Animal control is being limited to archery due to safety concerns. Interested individuals will need to have a valid hunting license.

KANEOHE – A Kaneohe fisherman was found guilty of two lay net fishing violations on Jan. 8, 2015 at Kaneohe District Court and was sentenced to 7 days jail and the court ordered his nets seized.

HONOLULU -- Fire responders from the federal government and DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildfire today continued fighting a persistent wildland fire located in the Kipapa drainage above Mililani Mauka, including parts of the Oahu Forest National Wildlife Refuge on Friday.

HONOLULU -- Following the recommendation of Hawaii County Ocean Safety personnel, all West Hawaii state beach parks remained closed a second day for public safety, by the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks. This includes Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area, and its Waialea section, Lapakahi State Historical Park and Kekaha Kai State Park (both the Maniniowali (Kua Bay) and Mahaiula sections).

HONOLULU – New fees and permit requirements are now in effect for commercial recreational operations in state small boat harbors, facilities, and near shore waters. Any company or individual conducting commercial activity is now required to contact the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) for a permit.

HONOLULU -- Following the recommendation of Hawaii County Ocean Safety personnel, all West Hawaii state beach parks have been closed for public safety, by the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks. This includes Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area, and its Waialea section, Lapakahi State Historical Park and Kekaha Kai State Park (both the Maniniowali (Kua Bay) and Mahaiula sections). All West Hawaii County beach parks have also been closed.

MILILANI, OAHU -- Fire responders from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildfire, and Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) are continuing to fight the wildland fire located in the Kipapa drainage above Mililani Mauka, including parts of the Oahu Forest National Wildlife Refuge.