News Releases

(HILO) – People trying to get close-up views of lava in Lower Puna were cited by DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) officers last night. Seven individuals will have to make court appearances to face charges of loitering in a disaster zone under Hawai‘i County code.  Since the beginning of the East Rift Zone eruption in early May, DOCARE has been assisting Hawai‘i County Police, the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency and the National Guard in manning check-points and conducting patrols to keep people out of dangerous areas. 

(LAHAINA) -- The Commission on Water Resource Management will hold an informational meeting to update the community and address questions on the implementation of amended interim instream flow standards (IIFS) for the surface water hydrological units of Ukumehame, Olowalu, Kaua‘ula on the island of Maui.

(KAILUA-KONA) -- Celebrate the third annual World Oceans Day, “Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet” at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area on June 8, 2018 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free to the public, except for a $5 parking fee at Hapuna Beach for non-Hawai‘i residents.

HONOLULU -- The 25 winners of the 12th annual My Hawai‘i Story Contest focused on the environment were recently announced. The students will be presented with awards and prizes at the Hawai'i Conservation Conference on July 25, 2018, at the Hawai'i Convention Center in Honolulu.

(HILO) – A 38 year old San Jose, CA man was cited by a DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) officer two nights ago for loitering under Hawai‘i County code. The DOCARE officer was checking barricades in Nanawale Estates when he spotted a red light in the sky.  A short time later he encountered Huawen Wu flying a drone in a restricted flight zone.  DOCARE reports the man was on Nanawale Blvd., and then took Forest Road where he allegedly set up his drone at about 9:30 p.m. to get aerial photography of an active lava flow.

(HILO) – Officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) and other law enforcement agencies have adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward anyone who violates closures in the disaster area associated with the current eruption of Kilauea and associated lava flows.

(HONOLULU) – The Board of Land and Natural Resources today reviewed the draft Hā’ena State Parks Master Plan, recommended that the Governor accept the Final Environmental Impact Statement, and delegated authority to the Chair of the Board to approve the final Master Plan following acceptance of the EIS by the Governor.

LIHU‘E --  The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is reminding residents and visitors to Kaua‘i that certain forest and park areas on Kaua‘i which suffered damage during historic flooding in mid-April remain closed.

(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.