Department of Land and Natural Resources

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.

The DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation will begin work starting October 19, to remove deteriorated asphalt and repave areas at the Wai‘anae Small Boat Harbor launch ramp and boat wash-down area. The total project scope of work includes repaving the existing asphalt roadways and parking areas, new striping, and at the boat launch ramp and wash-down areas, asphalt will be replaced with more durable concrete. Repaving of the roadway and parking areas has already been completed. Project contractor is Road Builders Corp. and cost is $1.5 million.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) has scheduled statewide public hearings on proposed administrative rule amendments that would increase the annual commercial marine license fees from the current $50/year to $100/year initially, then to $150/year on January 1, 2018. This date may be delayed until later in the year, depending on when the rules are approved. The proposed rules also would establish a reporting deadline for dealers who buy marine life directly from commercial fishers.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold a public information meeting to explain to Maui boaters and community the project scope and planned fall schedule for maintenance dredging at Lahaina Harbor and Mala Boat Ramp. DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation staff will accept input/comments on current shoaling conditions, and answer questions. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 25, 2017 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the West Maui Senior Center, 788 Pauoa St. in Lahaina.

The Board of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), today approved amendments to a wide range of state boating rules intended to improve management of State small boat harbors and ocean recreation-related activities in State waters.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Island Conservation, and other Lehua Island Restoration Project partners became aware of social media posts, photos and video that show dead fish or birds that posters claim were killed by a rodenticide currently being used to eradicate non-native, damaging (invasive) rats from the island. However unlikely the connection, the project partners take any potential risks to non-target species and marine life, extremely seriously.

Volunteers are invited to participate in a community workday and free fun activities to help restore the natural ecosystem of three anchialine pools in the Mahai‘ula section of Kekaha Kai State Park on Saturday, July 29. A beach cleanup is also part of the day’s events.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) will hold public hearings statewide starting next week on proposed amendments to state boating rules.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Boating and Ocean Resources (DOBOR) will hold a public meeting to solicit community input on future planning for four sites at Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. These sites include: the current harbormaster’s office, and the adjacent parking lot, the old fuel dock, the triangle parking lot, and the former haul-out area.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources has issued a Notice of Alleged Violations to Simon Valej of Hang Loose Boat Tours for Alleged Unauthorized Alteration of Historic Properties and Unauthorized Land Use Within the Conservation District Located at Punalu‘u Wharf, Ka‘u, Hawai‘i.