(Honolulu) – During a ceremony today at the Hawai‘i State Capitol, Governor David Ige proclaimed February as Hawai‘i Invasive Species Month. This long-standing recognition is intended to bring additional attention to the issue of invasive species. Simultaneously five individuals and four organizations were recognized by the Governor and legislative leaders as Hawai‘i Invasive Species Committee Most Valuable Players for 2019.
Forestry & Wildlife
(Honolulu) – When Daniel Kapalikūokalani-Maile posted on Facebook last November that something was killing native naio trees in the Kapalama/Kalihi area, it prompted a rapid response from state and federal agencies and organizations.
(Kula)–An opening hearing will be held to receive testimony on the December 8, 2018 submittal of the Auwahi Wind Farm draft Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) amendment. Auwahi Wind Energy, LLC operates eight 3-megawatt wind turbines augmented by an 11-megawatt battery storage system located on ‘Ulupalakua Ranch, on the eastern side of the island of Maui. The project was constructed in 2012 and has been in operation since that time.
(Honolulu) – Maintenance workers with the Dept. of Land and Natural Resources begin the process today of cleaning up from the weekend’s powerful winter storm. Heavy surf and high winds broke nine vessels away from their off-shore moorings on Maui and Molokai. At the Lahaina Small Boat Harbor on Maui six boats ended up on rocks on the shoreline. Two boats came ashore in Kihei one on Molokai.
(Honolulu) – The DLNR Division of State Parks has or is closing the following units due to the impending storm: Ka‘ena Point State Park (O‘ahu) – Both Keawa‘ula & Mokulēʻia access closed due to potentially dangerous surf and water conditions Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline (O‘ahu) – Tidepools trail closed
(Hilo) –The DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement will work on safety improvements at the Mile Marker 16 Shooting Range from Monday February 25 through Friday March 1, 2019. The shooting range will be closed during the week.
(Honolulu) – Albatross numbers at Kaʻena Point Natural Area Reserve continue to climb to record highs after being protected in 2011 by a predator-proof fence. In the 2018 season, 106 albatross pairs attempted to breed, and the number of wedge-tailed shearwater chicks have more than tripled in the last seven years.
(Kahului) – Wet and windy weather caused trees to fall across the road corridor in the Moloka‘i Forest Reserve on Moloka‘i. The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife closed the reserve this morning and due to the weather, repair crews are unable to get into the area with heavy equipment and machinery to clear debris.
(Lihue) – The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) will open a special feral goat hunting opportunity in the Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park. The area open to hunting will be called Nualolo Kai.
(Hilo) – The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) will conduct animal control activities next month for trapping mouflon/feral sheep hybrids and for; staff hunting, and/or aerial shooting from helicopters for feral goats, feral sheep, mouflon and mouflon/feral sheep hybrids within palila critical habitat in the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve (Unit A), Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve (Unit K), palila mitigation lands, and the Ka’ohe Game Management Area (Unit G) on the island of Hawai’i.