(Hāʻena, Kaua‘i) – Representatives of four State of Hawai‘i Executive Branch departments provided more than 200 Hāʻena and Wainiha area residents with updates on current and planned construction work, the upcoming school year and mental health resources during a community meeting last night.  The standing-room only crowd at the YMCA’s Camp Naue received reports from the Dept. of Transportation (HDOT), the Dept. of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), the Dept. of Education (DOE), and the Dept. of Health (DOH). The community outreach forum was organized by Governor Ige’s Office of Constituent Services.

HONOLULU -- Grants from the State of Hawai‘i Land Conservation Fund support efforts by state agencies, counties, and nonprofit land conservation organizations to acquire land and protect resources for public benefit.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), through its Legacy Land Conservation Program, seeks applications from these partners for grants to preserve — forever — land that has natural, environmental, recreational, scenic, cultural, agricultural production, or historic value, including park and trail systems that provide access to such land.

(Honolulu) – After a full and detailed review of two Final Environment Assessments (EAs) prepared by the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), Suzanne Case, the Chair of the Board of Land and Natural Resources has determined that the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required. The determination is based on the significance criteria outlined in Title II, Chapter 200, Hawai‘i Administrative Rules.

(Honolulu) -The U.S. Coast Guard Barbers Point Air Station provided space on a low-flying C-130 plane to DLNR representatives today to look for any green sea turtles that could be trapped by lava flowing into the ocean on the coast near Kapoho Bay and the Pohoiki Boat Ramp.

(Honolulu) – Recent social media posts have shown photos and expressions of concern for sea turtles reportedly trapped or affected by the East Rift Zone Eruption on Hawai‘i island, in the Kapoho and Pohoiki areas.  DLNR and NOAA Fisheries are aware of these postings but so far there has been little actionable information.

(KAILUA-KONA) – Volunteers are invited to participate in a community workday on July 28th to help restore the anchialine pool at Ka’elehuluhulu Beach. The event is called Sand Castles for Conservation and the DLNR Division of State Parks are sponsoring it. People are encouraged to help build sand castles using only sand from the anchialine pool.

(Hilo) – In the last few weeks an additional eight people have been cited for loitering in the East Rift Eruption Zone - seven of them in the last 24 hours.

(HONOLULU) - Are you a part of the community that cares for our lands and waters?  While natural resource managers and conservation professionals prepare to gather in Honolulu this week for the annual Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference, they represent only a part of the larger community of stewards.  Community-based and civic stewardship groups are crucial to the well-being of our communities, yet many of their activities are not understood or even recognized.  

(Honolulu)- DLNR Chair Suzanne Case has notified Hawai‘i County Mayor Harry Kim of the State’s termination of a grant agreement with the County that would have provided $1.33 million in matching funds from the State Land Conservation Fund for the acquisition of over 300 acres of private property that formerly reached the Waiʻōpae coastline immediately south of Vacationland at Kapoho, Puna. 

(Kailua-Kona) - A new plaque that memorializes the spot where Captain James Cook was killed on Hawai’i island in 1779 is back on the historic Captain Cook memorial Awili landing at Kaʻawaloa.