Honolulu – Maui beaches, which had been closed for one mile in each direction from the location of yesterday’s fatal shark incident at Kanahena (Dumps) in the Ahihi Kinau Natural Area Reserve on Maui, were reopened as of 12 noon today.

HONOLULU – Black Band disease was found at nearly half of the reef sites surveyed for the presence of the disease in near-shore waters on Kauai. These are the findings contained in a final report authored by the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB). Researcher Chris Runyon and her team surveyed 47 coral reef sites over the past year and found the disease in 23 (48%) of them. Runyon said, “A weak relationship was found between the abundance of the disease and water temperature. The lesions caused by black band disease become more active in the summer.” Previous work established the disease is affecting three species of Montipora, or rice, corals and also showed disease "hotspots" at Makua and Anini beaches.

MAKENA, MAUI -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has closed Makena State Park and ocean waters from Big Beach to La Perouse light house to swimmers, divers, and other ocean users. This is in response to a fatal shark bite this morning in the Kanahena Cove area of Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve. DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers, Division of Aquatic Resources staff, and County lifeguards are on scene to investigate and warn the public. Shark warning signs are being posted. Further details about the incident are pending.

This posting is for the State of Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Commission on Water Resource Management. The position is located on the Island of Oahu.

HONOLULU -- Helping the State of Hawai‘i create more effective management of Hawaii’s near shore marine resources is the goal of the Makai Watch Volunteer Program, which is assisting the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) by acting as the ‘eyes and ears’ of conservation enforcement in the community.

HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) announces that the Kalalau Trail is CLOSED today due to flash flooding conditions.

KAHULUI -- “E ola ‛oe. E ola mâkou nei,” Malia Heimuli whispers as she removes a koa seedling from its container and buries its roots in the soft, dark earth. “It means you live, so we live.”

HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) continues to respond to reports of possible Japan Tsunami Marine Debris items that arrive on island reefs and beaches. Today, a DLNR crew retrieved a reported 20’ skiff at Sandy Beach area, bearing Japanese characters and vessel registration numbers. It is the seventh boat reported since February this year, following six others that arrived on Hawaii shores. Three were on the Big Island, at Kohanaiki, Kawaihae and Kawa Bay. One was overturned on Maui near the Aston Mahana, and two on Oahu were reported, at Kahuku and Punaluu.

HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of State Parks (DSP), has reached an interim permit agreement with Diamond Parking Services LLC. for parking operations at the Nuuanu Pali State Wayside and Akaka Falls State Park. Diamond Parking Services will begin operating and collecting entrance and parking fees effective Saturday (April 25, 2015) and the parks will operate as normal.

HONOLULU -- Today the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of State Parks (DSP), reached an interim revocable permit agreement with Pro Park, Inc. for a parking operation at Diamond Head State Monument. Pro Park will begin operating and collecting entrance fees effective tomorrow (Wed., April 22, 2015) and the park will operate as normal.