It’s the only Natural Area Reserve in Hawai‘i where the ocean and water activities are the primary draw for visitors and residents. The Ahihi-Kina’u Natural Area Reserve has one mile of open coastline and attracts hundreds of people every day to surf, snorkel, or simply to enjoy the clear waters of the Reserve. It’s part of a vast ocean playground on Maui’s south shore, with the corridor managed and maintained by a variety of county and state agencies. This means there are different rules and guidelines for each locale. Fishing might be allowed in one place but not another. One area may be closed, another is open. Dogs are allowed here, but not there.
Natural Area Reserves
(Kahului, Maui) – Shoreline access to the ocean at the ‘Ahihi Kina’u Natural Area Reserve on Maui is again open. Access was restricted for nearly two weeks after a Humpback whale carcass washed onto shore on December 30, 2016.
HONOLULU - The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) announces the following closures of state park and forest areas over the weekend as a safety precaution due to the anticipated arrival of a tropical weather system that may bring heavy rains and possible flash flooding to the island chain. Based upon the latest advisory from the National Weather Service, between 5 to 10 and even up to 12 inches of rain may be expected in some areas.
KAHULUI – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife will close the Kula Forest Reserve and Waipoli Access Road from Monday, March 17, 2014, through Wednesday, April 30, 2014, to allow needed road repairs to be made to both the unpaved and paved sections of the road.
HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has closed vehicular access on the Molokai State Forest Reserve – Maunahui access road from the hunters’ check station to the Makakupaia gate – due to unsafe road conditions caused by the recent heavy rains. Forest use activities such as hiking and hunting are still accessible.
KAHULUI -- The Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) today authorized the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to seek bids to conduct an archaeological inventory survey (AIS) and environmental review (EA) necessary to explore a proposed land exchange agreement between the state and Haleakala Ranch that that the department believes will ensure public access to a disputed hiking trail, and create a new access route to two large forest reserves on the leeward slope of Haleakala.
KAHULUI -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has proposed an agreement that that it believes will avoid costly litigation, ensure public access to a hiking trail, and create a new access route to two large forest reserves on the leeward slope of Haleakala.
KULANI, HAWAI‘I – A new Christmas tradition is taking place in remote forests above Hilo. Early in the morning, volunteers scan the trees, looking for jewels far more beautiful than any Christmas ornament. These volunteers are on a quest to find Hawai‘i’s rarest native birds. The forests of Kulani are part of the Pu‘u Maka‘ala Natural Area Reserve (NAR) managed by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW). On Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013, the DLNR Natural Area Reserves System (NARS), the Three Mountain Alliance (TMA), and the Hawai‘i Audubon Society and community volunteers will search through the forest and count native birds in an annual survey of the forest.
The Hawai‘i Forest Stewardship Program provides technical and financial assistance to private landowners and land managers committed to the stewardship, conservation and restoration of important forest resources across the state.
DLNR firefighters brought in a private 5000 gallon water tender from Waimea to assist in fire control operations, which are now expected to go through Tuesday Oct. 8 There are 21 Division of Forestry and Wildlife staff on scene.