Boating & Ocean Recreations

(Honolulu) - Construction is set to begin on March 7th on a water system improvement project at the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. This project involves instillation of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) water mains and service laterals. They will also conduct trenching and asphalt pavement repair work.

(HONOLULU) – Today, the State Board of Land and Natural Resources approved a request from the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) to hold a public hearing to incorporate fishery rules for the Miloliʻi Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area (CBSFA) on Hawai‘i Island.

(HONOLULU) – Today the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) approved the re-opening of the remaining eight BFRAs, which were closed to fishing since 2007. The re-opening’s are effective immediately. 

(Off the west coast of Maui) – Exclamations of glee and ear-to-ear grins are the order of the day, as passengers on a commercial whale watching tour are treated to tail slaps, breaches, and blows. An estimated 40 whale watch companies operate in Maui Nui, and as big as the ocean is…it can get crowded…for humpback whales. 

(HONOLULU) – It all started last October, when people began seeing bag after bag of rubbish floating in the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor or within the trash catchment at the harbor’s mouth. 

(LĪHUʻE) – On Tuesday, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG, a private contractor, the Dept. of Transportation (DOT), and the Dept. of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) tested and validated the USCG Geographic Response Strategy (GRS). GRS is a response plan for spills in marine environments at Hawai‘i deep-water commercial and small boat harbors. Currently there are 15 GRS plans around the state. 

(LĪHUʻE) – Next Tuesday, Jan. 25, boaters and mariners using the Nawiliwili Harbor on Kaua‘i are being informed of U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) operations that will impact activity for a short time. 

(HONOLULU) – For the first time in several years, the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) did not receive any reports of illegal Christmas tree bonfires at Ahu o Laka (Kāne'ohe Bay sandbar). 

(HONOLULU) – The DLNR is taking a pro-active approach toward the illegal burning of Christmas trees at Ahu O Laka (Kāne’ohe Bay sandbar). This activity is a violation of State Administrative Rules (HAR). In recent years, photographs on social media sites have shown large numbers of people congregating as tree-fueled fires burn in the background. These tree-burnings are also destructive to both ocean and terrestrial natural resources.

(Honolulu) – The Kahana Bay Boat Ramp will be closed starting January 3, 2022, for repairs and renovations. Site improvements will include asphalt and concrete pavement resurfacing of the parking lot, the installation of new bull rails, and rock revetment repairs.