DOCARE

(HONOLULU) – Kaniakapupu, in the forest above Honolulu, in the Nuuanu district, is central to the story of modern Hawai‘i. Not only was it the summer palace of King Kamehameha III and Queen Kalama, it was the first government building built in western style with mortar and plaster. Completed in 1845, Kaniakapupu was the “scene of entertainment of foreign celebrities and the feasting of chiefs and commoners. The greatest was a luau attended by 10,000 celebrating Hawaiian Restoration Day in 1847,” (from a plaque erected on-site by the Commission on Historical Sites). Earlier it was the site of a notable heiau for Hawaiian royalty.

(HONOLULU) – Two DLNR Divisions and the Mālama Pūpūkea -Waimea Makai Watch program teamed up over the weekend for the first “Splash” event, created to continue support and evaluation of the Makai Watch program, provide education on rules and regulations, and also address people’s perceptions about the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) in our local communities.

HONOLULU — Hawai‘i Governor David Ige today signed Senate Bill 2453 authorizing alternative sentencing for aquatic violations. The new law provides clear legal authority to judges, allowing them to more effectively tailor sentences when aquatics statutes are violated. The bill covers most regulations under the jurisdiction of the DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources, including most fisheries violations. Judges will still be able to impose jail time or fine defendants. Now they’ll also be able to sentence offenders to an educational course or resource-specific community service work.

HONOLULU -- In order to expand Bowhunter Education certification options in Hawaii, the Hawaii Hunter Education Program within the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, will begin offering Hawaii residents an online Bowhunter Education course, beginning on July 1, 2016.

(HONOLULU) – A proposal to close the Ala Wai Canal from the Ala Moana Boulevard Bridge to the Kalakaua Avenue Bridge during the IUCN World Conservation Congress, Sept. 1-10, 2016, will be considered at a meeting of the Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) on June 9, 2016.

HONOLULU — With the goal to ensure a peaceful and safe family atmosphere this Memorial Day weekend at Ahu O Laka, the Kaneohe sandbar, the Department of Land and Natural Resources is reminding everyone of the no-alcohol rule that will be in place on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources today posted the Judd hiking trail off Old Pali Road on Oahu as “CLOSED” until further notice due to a banyan tree which fell across the trail and Nuuanu stream this morning. A woman hiking the trail with eight companions was reportedly injured by the falling tree and assisted by Honolulu Fire Department. She was taken to a local hospital by Emergency Services in serious condition. No other injuries were reported. DLNR Enforcement division will further investigate this event.

(HONOLULU) – 19 year old Shylo Akuna of Eleele, Kauai was arrested this afternoon by officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) and NOAA Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) special agents in connection with the beating of a 17-year old pregnant monk seal on April 26, 2016.

HONOLULU -- To help improve ocean safety awareness for boaters and divers, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is launching an outreach campaign, starting this weekend at the Lanikai Boat Ramp in Kailua, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, April 30 and May 1, 2016.

WAIMANALO -- Department of Land and Natural Resources Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) officers cited a man today for violations relating to his use of a gill net in waters offshore of Kaiona Beach Park. Officers responded to reports that a gill net had been laid in the water, and contacted a male, John Edwards, 39. Through investigation, the officers learned that Edwards had laid a gill net overnight, and had retrieved it just prior to the officers' arrival. The investigation also revealed that the net used was not registered and tagged as required by law.