Five young ‘Alalā—critically endangered Hawaiian crows—were released into Pu‘u Maka‘ala Natural Area Reserve on the Big Island of Hawai‘i on Dec, 14. The group of male birds took a few minutes to emerge from the aviary where they had been temporarily housed, and they appeared to show a natural curiosity for their surroundings.

HONOLULU -- A large quantity of copper wire was located today at Ke‘ehi lagoon area today by enforcement officers of the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

HONOLULU -- The small boat harbors and boat ramps have played an important role in the recreational history of Hawai‘i. Although many of the harbors have been upgraded, repaired and expanded over time, many of the original features, including their breakwaters, basins, slips, and channels retain their historic character.

WAILUKU, MAUI -- A groundbreaking ceremony yesterday at the Maui Annex state building at 130 Mahalani Street is preparing the way for demolition of the 57-year old building, and construction starting in early 2017, of a new 7,000 square-foot building on the one-acre state parcel that has housed four divisions of the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources Hunter Education Program is expanding education and outreach efforts by offering free Hawai‘i Hunter Education Manuals to the public, while supplies last.

KAPA`A, KAUA‘I -- A large fishing net, estimated to weigh about two tons, was removed from the beach at Kapa‘a fronting the Coral Reef Resort, yesterday.

(Kilauea Point, Kauai) – “An enormous success,” is how people and organizations involved in an effort to further protect endangered Hawaiian seabirds describe the first two seasons of translocating Hawaiian Petrels and the first Newell’s Shearwaters to a predator-proof enclosure at Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge on Kaua‘i’s north shore.

(Honolulu) - Leslie Kobata, who has served as the Deputy Registrar in the DLNR Bureau of Conveyances since 2011, has been tabbed as the next Registrar. DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said, “Les is an outstanding, innovative, and approachable leader. We are fortunate to retain his decades of private sector, high-level business experience, as the Bureau of Conveyances continues a major modernization initiative directed at making its vital State records easily accessible to the public.

HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) is the lead agency in developing and updating the Hawaiʻi Forest Action Plan 2016.

HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources Divisions of Aquatic Resources (DAR), State Historic Preservation (SHPD), and Engineering offices on Maui will close next week, starting Monday December 5-9, as staff move out of their current location at 130 Mahalani Street in Wailuku, and set up at a temporary location in the Māʻalaea Small Boat Harbor.