Forestry & Wildlife

(Wailea) – Starting October 1st, 2020, ‘Āhihi-Kīna‘u Natural Area Reserve will charge non-Hawai‘i residents a user-fee of $5.00 per vehicle. Two machines in the reserve’s parking lot accept credit or debit cards and produce the receipts that must be displayed on their dashboard while using the area. Use-fees paid by visitors will pay for infrastructure costs or projects that protect the reserve’s unique natural resources. Hawai‘i residents will not be charged but must still display a daily pass that will be generated from the same machines.

(Kula, Maui) – A recent land acquisition protects the Kula water aquifer, habitat for endangered species, and community-based forest restoration opportunities. These lands are now protected in perpetuity thanks to federal, state, and non-profit partners. 

(Honolulu) – State Parks, beaches and Nā Ala Hele trails on O‘ahu that were closed in August due to Covid-19 control measures reopen on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020 with the same set of restrictions announced this afternoon in Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s Emergency Order 2020-26. 

(HILO) – The Puna Trail and Hā‘ena Beach (Shipman’s Beach) in the Puna District on Hawai‘i island will be closed at midnight today. The 2.5-mile-long trail leads to Hā‘ena Beach, known locally as Shipman’s Beach, and has seen large group gatherings dating back to original COVID-19 related orders and closures back in April. 

(Hilo) – Last weekend an estimated 100 people gathered at the J7 ranch to get in streams and waterfalls above the ranch.    The waterways above the J7 (Wailuku River, Hookelekele Stream, Lauiole Falls, Pukamaui Falls and Kauwehu Falls) are collectively known as “Narnia”, and  are part of the Hilo Restricted Watershed Section of the Hilo Forest Reserve.  

 (Lihu‘e)--   On March 28, 2020, a high amount of rainfall was recorded across the island of Kauai.  This heavy rain event caused severe damage to Keahua Bridge at the entrance of the Lihue-Koloa Forest Reserve.  Due to structural damage, the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) blocked vehicular traffic until repairs are completed.

(Honolulu) – The National Weather Service’s (NWS) issuance of a Red Flag Warning for all leeward areas of the Hawaiian Islands means critical wildfire conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. The warning says, “Provided the lack of any significant rainfall through the summer months, fuels have become very dry across portions of the state.

(Līhuʻe) – A single, free-roaming cat again demonstrates the awful toll cats are exacting on endangered native Hawaiian birds. Over the course of three days in a remote area of the Hono o Na Pali Natural Area Reserve, one cat (photographed on multiple trail cameras) killed at least nine endangered Hawaiian Petrel (‘u‘au) chicks. A team working in the area found the partially eaten baby birds outside their burrows.

(Honolulu) – Students across Hawai’i were invited to engage with kupuna as part of an essay content inspired by the 50th anniversary of International Earth Day. The contest was offered by the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) for all high school students in the state as a way to explore change in Hawai’i.

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES News Release DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON For Immediate News Release: July 9, 2020 2020 LĀNA‘I MOUFLON SHEEP/AXIS DEER SEASON CANCELLATION ...
Read More 07/09/2020-2020 LĀNA‘I MOUFLON SHEEP/AXIS DEER SEASON CANCELLATION