(Honolulu) – Hawaiian monk seals, green sea turtles and other marine animals that frequent our shores have largely had near-shore waters and beaches to themselves for the past six weeks. With today’s announcement of the reopening of select DLNR Division of State Parks units across the state, park managers and aquatic biologists are reminding people to be respectful of the places we share with Hawai‘i’s treasured marine creatures.
Boating & Ocean Recreations
(Honolulu) – Beaches in the Waimanalo area were more empty today than usual on the first full day of Governor Ige’s emergency rules that has closed all beaches under State of Hawai‘i jurisdiction, other than to cross them to get to the ocean for exercise.
(Honolulu) – Governor David Ige today, issued a Fifth Supplementary Proclamation to his Emergency Rules. This one includes limitations on activities outside homes or places of residence and closes all beaches in Hawai‘i.
(Honolulu) – “Blatant disrespect,” by some people over the Easter Weekend three-day holiday has led to the immediate closing of all Hawai‘i Offshore Islets, which are all State Wildlife Sanctuaries. This includes the popular Mokulua Islets off of Kailua and Lanikai beaches. In addition, the Ahu o Laka (Kaneohe sandbar), is also closing immediately.
(Honolulu) – Last Wednesday all DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) restrooms statewide at state small boat harbors (SBH) and boat ramps reopened to observe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for ensuring availability of toilets and hand washing facilities for people experiencing homelessness during this COVID-19 emergency.
(Honolulu)- Effective now, all DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) restrooms statewide at State small boat harbors and boat ramps will be reopening, to observe CDC guidance for ensuring availability of toilets and hand washing facilities for people experiencing homelessness during this COVID-19 emergency. All DOBOR restroom facilities will be open continuously seven days a week until further notice.
(Honolulu) – Salvage teams from Parker Marine will be working today and possibly tomorrow in another attempt to free sailing vessel Prelude from shallow waters off Kaimana Beach on O‘ahu’s south shore. The boat grounded on a reef, about 300 feet off-shore, on Sunday. An earlier attempt to free it wasn’t successful due to strong winds, the water depth, and the position of the boat on the reef.
(Honolulu) – A new law passed during the 2019 legislative session requires that all applicable vessels have insurance with a minimum of $100,000 in coverage that will cover the removal and salvage of a grounded vessel.
(Honolulu) – An engineer estimates it will take at least $8 million to repair extensive damage at the Kawaihae North Small Boat Harbor on Hawai‘i Island caused by massive swells during a New Year’s eve and day storm event.
(Honolulu) – The owner of a 112 foot-long, twin-engine, fishing boat has one week to move his vessel before the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) conducts a public auction of the boat.