Forestry & Wildlife

(Honolulu) — Effective June 15, 2020, the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) district and administrative offices will begin issuing hunting licenses and stamps for the new hunting season (July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021). A valid hunting license is required for hunting on public and private lands.

(Honolulu) – Dogs, by instinct, chase things, and in the case of resting Hawaiian monk seals and other wildlife, this natural trait can have serious and even deadly consequences. Last week a couple of off-leash dogs approached a seal pup resting in a coastal area of O‘ahu, threatening the animal. 

(Lānaʻi City) – The 2020 hunting lottery for mouflon sheep on the island of Lānaʻi has been cancelled by the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW). The usual season will be modified in order to create a combined season for both mouflon sheep and axis deer. Details regarding this modified season will be announced in the coming weeks based on regulation of interisland travel and considerations regarding COVID-19.

(Līhuʻe) – Opportunities to hunt for feral pig and feral goats in the Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park is opening. The areas open to animal control will be between the Ho’olulu (4-mile valley) to Kalalau Valley (11 miles), portions of Hunting Unit G. The animal control is necessary for watershed protection purposes.

(Honolulu) – All of the O‘ahu Offshore Island State Seabird Sanctuaries, normally listed as open for restricted access, remain closed until further notice and are not covered by Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s opening of beaches. Those islands are Mokuauia, Popoia, Kapapa, and the Mokulua Islands.

(Līhue) – Kaua‘i hunters are invited to apply for Special Use Permits that allow for some additional days of the week to hunt goats, pigs and deer in all existing hunting Units EXCEPT Units A, B and L. Many hunting areas on Kaua‘i are open on weekends (Friday-Monday) only.  Beginning Monday May 18, 2020 licensed hunters may hunt more days of the week by submitting an online application at www.KauaiForestUsers.com.  Permits will be processed several times a week; not every day due to a lack of staff.

(Kailua-Kona) – A citizen reported a large gathering of people and cars at Alula Beach (near Honokohau Small Boat Harbor) to the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) early Wednesday afternoon. DOCARE officers responded to the beach and observed numerous people not engaging in permitted activity outlined in the State’s current emergency rules.

(Līhue) – Kaua‘i hunters are invited to apply for special use permits to hunt goats, pigs, and deer on closed hunting days in State Forest Reserves, Natural Area Reserves, and Game Management Areas. Usually, most hunting areas on Kaua‘i are open only weekends (Friday-Monday). Beginning on Monday, May 18, people who want to hunt on closed days can submit an online application at www.KauaiForestUsers.com.

(Kahului) – While their award trips are being delayed because of the COVID-19 crisis, the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) is announcing the winners of an essay-writing contest for high school students on this 50th anniversary of Earth Day. 

(Honolulu) – Beaches in the Waimanalo area were more empty today than usual on the first full day of Governor Ige’s emergency rules that has closed all beaches under State of Hawai‘i jurisdiction, other than to cross them to get to the ocean for exercise.