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 2, 2016 

DLNR OPENS CERTAIN AREAS WHILE OTHER AREAS REMAIN CLOSED
IN ANTICIPATION OF HURRICANE LESTER

Public hunts rescheduled at Lana‘i and Pu‘u Wa‘a Wa‘a

HONOLULU –The Department of Land and Natural Resources is responding to changing forecasts for Hurricane Lester by issuing the following update on area closures:

Division of State Parks camping and lodging announcement for September 2 through 5 – Labor Day Weekend: 

All State Parks will remain open for Labor Day weekend – unless any changes in storm behavior indicate a need for closure          

Hawai‘i island: Camping and overnight lodging facilities are now re-opened.

Maui: Camping and lodging facilities remain closed.

O‘ahu: Due to the current variable in storm conditions resulting in the Hurricane Watch still in effect as of Friday, September 2, camping areas remain closed Friday night. 

Kaua‘i: Camping facilities are open

However, if storm warnings are lifted either Friday night or early Saturday morning, email notifications will be sent out to the approximately 85 O‘ahu camping permittees  to notify them that their camping permits will allow them to camp starting September 3, Saturday night.

Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW):

Hawai‘i island:

All forest reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, natural area reserves and Na Ala Hele hiking trails are reopened.  DOFAW campgrounds will remain closed through the weekend.  The Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Hunt for Labor Day weekend has been rescheduled for September 24-25, 2016. For further information, contact the Kamuela DOFAW office at (808) 887-6063.

Maui

All forest reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, natural area reserves and Na Ala Hele hiking trails remain closed. There will be a makeup Lana‘i mouflon sheep rifle hunt on October 29-30, 2016 for those hunters impacted by this cancellation. For further information, contact the Maui DOFAW office at (808) 984-8100.

O‘ahu

All forest reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, natural area reserves and Na Ala Hele hiking trails remain open.

Kaua‘i

All forest reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, natural area reserves and Na Ala Hele hiking trails remain open.

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

Additional announcements 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