(Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area, Hawai‘i Island) – Careful progress is being made toward restoration of water service at Hāpuna Beach, to address residents’ concerns. The DLNR Division of State Parks (DSP) is taking a multi-pronged approach consisting of three simultaneous and separate projects now in process to address temporary, short-term fixes as well as a permanent, long-term solution.

(HONOLULU) – Insidious is the best way to describe Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD). First discovered off the coast of Florida in 2014, it has now spread along the entire coast of the Sunshine State and has been detected in 23 countries and territories in the Greater Caribbean Basin. This disease kills coral tissue at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per day, which quickly kills the coral, and can affect more than 30 different species of coral.

(HONOLUA BAY, MAUI) – A post-grounding damage assessment conducted by divers from the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), found that the yacht Nakoa caused damage to corals and reef live rock covering at least 19,434-square-feet.  

(HONOLULU) – Two boats broke loose from moorings overnight on Maui, due to strong winds. The DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) is advising mariners to take steps to ensure their vessels are secure. 

(HILO) – The Mauna Loa Forest Reserve will reopen effective immediately, months following the eruption of Mauna Loa. The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) is also announcing the immediate reopening of Unit A of the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve and Game Management Area South of Daniel K. Inouye Highway across from the Gil Kahele Recreation Area, also known as the “slice.”

(HONOLULU) – 65-year-old David Jiménez of Maui was cited this morning at Kealakekua Bay on Hawai‘i Island, after the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) received numerous calls reporting alleged wildlife harassment. Jiménez was allegedly actively pursuing an adolescent humpback whale and dolphins inside Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park. 

(HONOLUA BAY, MAUI) – A yacht, fast aground just outside the Honolua-Mokulē'ia Marine Life Conservation District, was pulled off the nearshore rocks around 1 p.m. today. 

(HONOLUA BAY, MAUI) – The salvage ship, Kahi, operated by Visionary Marine LLC and a tractor tug, the Mary Catherine operated by Sause Brothers Inc., both of Honolulu are stationed just outside the Honolua-Mokulē'ia Marine Life Conservation District, today preparing to try and pull the luxury yacht Nakoa off nearshore rocks.

(HONOLULU) – Weather and ocean conditions allowing, salvage efforts to free the grounded yacht Nakoa from the near-shore reef on the edge of Honalua Bay will resume sometime this weekend. 

(HONOLULU) – Heavy seas, pounding rain, and gusty winds are making it unsafe for salvage crews to return to Honolua Bay on Maui to make another attempt at freeing a yacht stuck on the near shore reef.