Gov. David Y. Ige has appointed Robert K. Masuda as First Deputy Director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) effective August 4, 2017. In his new role, Masuda will help manage, develop, oversee and implement initiatives, programs, and policies for DLNR’s eleven divisions, including DLNR’s implementation of Gov. Ige’s Sustainable Hawaiʻi Initiative.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is seeking community input on a proposed light industrial and commercial business park at Pulehunui in central Maui. A public meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 16 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Kihei Community Center at 303 E. Lipoa St. in Kihei to provide more information on the proposed project and invite feedback from the community.

Two women and four men were arrested early this morning by Maui Police as they attempted to block the passage of a large vehicle convoy hauling equipment up Haleakala for a new solar telescope. The protesters were among more than 100 who gathered at the intersection of Kula Highway and Old Haleakala Highway beginning at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. By midnight an estimated 60 people were still involved in a peaceful protest. The convoy led by a half dozen police vehicles included four semi-trucks pulling wide-load trailers. It reached the entrance to Haleakala National Park at 6 a.m. and Science City near the summit between 7:30 and 7:45 a.m.

Department of Land and Natural Resources Chair Suzanne Case signed an order today, temporarily closing certain State unencumbered lands adjacent to Haleakala National Park land on Maui. Hawai‘i State Administrative Rules (HAR 13-221-4) allow the DLNR Chair to close or restrict public usage for the purposes of safe transit and personal safety.