(HONOLULU) –Hawai‘i’s critical shortage of affordable dwellings will get a boost from a USDA Forest Service Wood Innovations grant. Nationwide the U.S. Forest Service is awarding almost $8 million in grants for projects in 20 states to expand and accelerate wood products and wood energy markets. The grants are intended to stimulate the removal of hazardous fuels from forests and reduce the risk of wildfires, promote overall forest health and reduce forest management costs.

(HONOLULU) -  The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife has closed the Malama Kī Forest Reserve on Hawai‘i island due to lava now flowing into it. Today maps showed one of three separate lava flows heading to the ocean with one going through the forest reserve.

(HONOLULU) -  The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife has closed the Malama Kī Forest Reserve on Hawai‘i island due to lava now flowing into it. Today maps showed one of three separate lava flows heading to the ocean with one going through the forest reserve.

(HONOLULU) - The Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) has given the greenlight to Champlin/GEI Wind Holdings LLC’s Na Pua Makani Power Partners LLC’s plans to build a 25-megawatt wind farm near Kahuku on the north shore of Oahu.

HILO -  The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) will be conducting maintenance work on Muliwai trail and Waimanu campground between May 20-25. The campground and trail will be closed during this period.

HONOLULU --  Kids of all ages are invited to find their own adventure at the iconic Diamond Head State Monument, on “Kids to Parks Day,”  Saturday May 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

(HONOLULU) - The Commission on Water Resource Management (Commission), in a public meeting Tuesday, fined the Olowalu Water Company, Inc. (OWC) of Maui the maximum allowable fine of $1,500 (includes $500 administrative fine) for construction of a concrete dam/spillway on the Olowalu Stream without a permit.  

(HONOLULU) – A team from the O‘ahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC) conducted part of a regularly planned aerial sketch mapping mission over the southern Ko‘olau Mountains today.  Their mission was cut short due to bad weather but they hope to finish their work soon.

HONOLULU -- The Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) voted on May 11, 2018 to approve administrative fines against Henry K. Pomroy, Bill A. Fujimoto, and Ho‘okupu Fish Company, LLC, regarding instances of illegal commercial lava boat tours on Hawai‘i Island.  Pomroy was issued a criminal citation for violation of Hawai‘i Administrative Rules, but the Hawai‘i County Prosecuting Attorney's Office dismissed the criminal citation, leading the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) to bring a civil enforcement action to the BLNR.  A contested case hearing was held on the enforcement action and BLNR voted to adopt the Hearing Officer's findings of fact, conclusions of law and decision and order.

(HILO) – Earlier this week, four Hawai‘i County men received cease and desist orders from DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) officers for lava rock removal. The men all admitted their roles in the unlawful removal of tons of lava rock from the Mauna Loa Forest Reserve.