Aquatic Resources

(Waimānalo) – At least three large Tiger sharks have been spotted feeding on the decomposing carcass of a Hawaiian Humpback whale, just off-shore from Waimānalo Bay Beach Park. Shark warning signs are up, and lifeguards and law enforcement officials have been warning people to stay out of the water. 

(HONOLULU) – Aquatic biologists from the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) con-ducted rapid SCUBA dive assessments of three underwater suspected unexploded ordnances (UXO) off Lana‘i’s south shore. The DAR assessment, on March 25, was to identify any potential UXO impacts on reefs and the marine environment.

(Honolulu) – Recent heavy rain events have caused major flooding to many parts of the state and with that, debris is churned up and scattered. Staff from the DLNR Division of Aquatics Resources (DAR) are currently cleaning up Lake Wilson which has had tons of rubbish in its waters due to these rain events. If Lake Wilson is not cleaned up, it could impact fishing opportunities in the Lake, and the rubbish could end up in Kaiaka Bay and eventually the ocean.

(HONOLULU) – Today, the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) voted unanimously to fine two Hawai‘i island aquarium fishers $272,000 in civil fines for multiple violations of Hawai‘i Administrative Rules (HAR) related to an illegal aquarium fishing incident in Kona in 2020.  

 (HONOLULU) – Restoration of a widely-used boat ramp at Pohoiki Bay, in the Puna District of Hawai‘i island, blocked by new sand during the 2018 Puna lava eruption is estimated to take  between nine months and six or more years, and cost between $2.5 and $28 million, the State Land of Board and Natural Resources heard during a briefing today. 

(KAHULUI) – It started as a father-son kayak off the west coast of Maui to view and photograph Humpback whales.   45-year-old Daniel Sullivan and his 15-year-old son Tristan, of Kula, paddled out on their two-man, 12-foot hard-shell kayak from the west side of the pali at around 11:30 Tuesday morning. There was a slight swell but clear water. Daniel Sullivan recounted the incident in his own words in the following social media post: 

(HONOLULU) – It’s believed drowning is the likely cause of death of at least two of three Hawaiian monk seals found dead on Kaua‘i last September, November, and December.   Constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic delayed completion of post-mortem examinations.

(Kahului) - The DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) and the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) are investigating an unusual shark encounter this afternoon.  

 (HONOLULU) – O‘ahu’s iconic Kāne‘ohe Bay is Hawai‘i’s largest sheltered body of water and only one of two bays in the state with barrier reefs. It is a significant scenic and recreational location that sees plenty of activity from boaters, fishers, kayakers, and snorkelers.  

(Kaanapali, Maui) – A 73-year-old man from California, snorkeling off Airport Beach in front of the Maui Westin at Kaanapali, was bitten by a shark this morning. Fortunately, he suffered  only minor lacerations in the encounter, which happened at about 7:20 a.m. There were no other snorkelers or swimmers in the immediate vicinity and the man swam back to shore on his own and called 9-1-1.