Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR

SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release September 1, 2016  

DLNR KEEPS AREAS CLOSED IN ANTICIPATION OF HURRICANE LESTER
Public advised to follow weather advisories, avoid outdoor areas

HONOLULU — Due to the uncertainty over the track of approaching Hurricane Lester, all Hawai‘i island, Maui, and O‘ahu State Park camping and lodging areas will be closed to overnight use beginning Friday, September 2 and will remain closed — at minimum through Monday, September 5 — until conditions warrant allowing these activities.  

The gates at Makua Beach (Ka‘ena Point State Park, O‘ahu), which normally open at 2 pm on Fridays for weekend access, will remain locked through the weekend.  At this time, all State Parks are open for day use.  

Full refunds will be processed for all current permit holders.

Kaua‘i State Park camping and lodging areas remain open at this time, but are subject to closure depending on updated forecasts.

On Maui and Hawaii islands, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) forest reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, natural area reserves, Na Ala Hele hiking trails, forest campgrounds and game management areas, will remain closed until further notice.  Camping permits for this weekend are cancelled until further notice.  

For public safety, DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife is canceling the following scheduled weekend hunts for Saturday and Sunday, September 3-4, 2016:

Lanai Mouflon sheep rifle hunt – There will be a makeup hunt scheduled for October 29-30, 2016 for those hunters impacted by this cancellation. For further information, contact the Maui DOFAW office at (808) 984-8100.

Puu Waawaa scheduled weekend hunt – There will be a makeup hunt scheduled for September 24-25, 2016 for those hunters impacted by this cancellation.  For further information, contact the Kamuela DOFAW office at (808) 887-6063.

DLNR is asking for the public’s cooperation with these area closures as the storm approaches. 

Additional closures may follow over the weekend, and updates will be provided to news media and on the department’s website. 

People are advised to avoid forested and coastal areas due to potential for rising streams, flash flooding, falling trees or high surf as well as ocean water surging and sweeping across beaches and rocky coastal benches and lava flows.  High surf may create the potential for impacts to coastal properties and infrastructure, including roadways.  Powerful longshore and rip currents will be present at most beaches.

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Media Contact:

Deborah Ward
Communications specialist
(808) 587-0320