(HONOLULU) – Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, it will be illegal to knowingly capture, entangle, or kill any species of shark in State marine waters. Act 51 (House Bill 533) passed in the last legislative session. 

(Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve) – The individual who posted a video of a large rock being throwing into Lake Waiau has contacted the DLNR and apologized for her actions. Earlier this month, she posted the video on her social media platforms and then removed it after learning of the disrespect it caused. 

(Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve) – While it appears she has removed her social media postings, one woman got the attention of conservation managers and law enforcement, after posting photos of large rocks being thrown into Lake Waiau. 

(HONOLULU) – The DLNR is taking a pro-active approach toward the illegal burning of Christmas trees at Ahu O Laka (Kāne’ohe Bay sandbar). This activity is a violation of State Administrative Rules (HAR). In recent years, photographs on social media sites have shown large numbers of people congregating as tree-fueled fires burn in the background. These tree-burnings are also destructive to both ocean and terrestrial natural resources.

(Kailua-Kona) –On Friday, December 31, 2021, the DLNR Division of State Parks will be closing Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area, Kīholo State Park Reserve and Kekaha Kai State Park (Mahai’ula and Kua Bay sections) early at 5 p.m.  Closing of the parks early is to discourage fireworks. All fireworks are prohibited in state parks to protect the natural resources of the area. 

(HONOLULU) – A monk seal, known as L11, died of an intentional gunshot wound to the head on Moloka‘i on Sept. 19th. A postmortem analysis determined that the young female suffered severe, lethal trauma from a bullet fragment. Further testing by NOAA to determine whether the seal had any diseases is underway but is not expected to change the conclusion of the postmortem examination. 

(HONOLULU) – Due to a technical error in notification of its meeting, the State Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) is postponing the meeting scheduled for tomorrow (Dec. 21, 2021). The Commission meeting has been rescheduled to Friday, January 7, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. 

(Lānaʻi City) - The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) announce that online applications for a combination 2022 Lānaʻi Axis Deer and Mouflon Sheep hunting season will be available beginning Monday, January 10, 2022.  A ten-dollar ($10.00) application fee will be assessed for each person applying for the hunt.

(HONOLULU) – Forests in the Waiʻanae mountains on Oʻahu and in the Puʻuwaʻawaʻa vicinity on Hawaiʻi Island are about to receive additional protections from threats like wildfires and hoofed animals thanks to a new award from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), funded with support from the U.S. Army and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

(Honolulu) – In Hawaiʻi, it helps to be local. That’s the driving principle behind new web and social media content managed by the DLNR Division of Forestry & Wildlife (DOFAW) which aims to provide easier access to information about natural resources and recreation opportunities depending on where a user is located.