Department of Land and Natural Resources

(Honolulu) – The Legacy Land Conservation Commission has prioritized applications to protect 19,270 acres stretching from the southeast shore at Ka‘ū, Hawai‘i, to Kaua‘i's north shore, including lands on Maui, Moloka‘i, and O‘ahu.

 (Honolulu) -  Out-of-state visitors and commercial tour buses will begin paying parking fees at Koke‘e and Waimea Canyon State Parks on Kaua‘i beginning Friday, June 28, 2019.These fees were approved by Governor Ige in December of 2015 and had previously been approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) in 2010. A DLNR Division of State Parks analysis of parking and entry fees for large state parks frequented by visitors and commercial tours companies were identified as a source for critically needed operating funds.

 (Honolulu) – In a court order issued today, First Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Crabtree, affirmed a Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) decision to issue an incidental take license (ITL) and to require a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for the Na Pua Makani wind farm at Kahuku on O‘ahu’s north shore. The project would include as many as nine wind turbine generators creating approximately 25 megawatts of power.

(Honolulu) – Today the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) approved a request from the DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) to temporarily close the Pua Loke Arboretum in Lihue “to make state and county facilities enhancements.” DOFAW plans to use a portion of the arboretum, just east of the Kukui Grove Shopping Mall, to expand its base of operations. DLNR and Kaua‘i County are in discussion about the county’s potential use of some of the property.

 (Honolulu) – The Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and its divisions are closing various properties in advance of Hurricane Lane.  The regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR), set for Friday, August 24th has been postponed.

(HONOLULU) - The Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) has given the greenlight to Champlin/GEI Wind Holdings LLC’s Na Pua Makani Power Partners LLC’s plans to build a 25-megawatt wind farm near Kahuku on the north shore of Oahu.

BLNR Chair Suzanne Case issued the following statement today about protesters at Friday’s Land Board meeting calling for Board Member Sam Gon’s resignation.

Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Crabtree ruled today that, based upon a Hawaiʻi Supreme Court opinion issued on September 6, 2017, existing permits for use of fine mesh nets to catch aquatic life for aquarium purposes are illegal and invalid. Judge Crabtree also ordered the DLNR not to issue any new permits pending environmental review.

The mediated settlement, approved by the Hawai‘i State Water Commission in April, to immediately restore continuous flows in West Kaua‘i’s Waimea River, is the subject of a video mini-documentary produced by the DLNR.

The Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) at its regularly scheduled meeting today reviewed a proposed administrative enforcement action against Kona resident Sean Pagett for organizing unpermitted fitness swimming events in Kailua Bay. The Board voted to dismiss the fine upon receiving assurances from Pagett’s counsel, former Hawaii mayor William Kenoi that Pagett will apply for a DOBOR permit, including obtaining required insurance coverage, for all future marine events he plans. The Board also voted to confirm that DOBOR rules do authorize the boating division, acting in cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard, to require and issue permits for marine events, including swim races.