News Releases

(Honolulu) – Personnel from the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), in consultation with the former director of the International Shark Attack File, have ruled out a tiger shark as having been involved in Tuesday’s incident at Anaeho‘omalu Bay on Hawai‘i Island, in which a California woman was bitten on her leg.

(Lihue)-The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has determined the Waimea and Hanapepe levees on Kaua‘i do not provide a high level of protection and are to be de-accredited. New preliminary flood maps, effective in 2020 show areas behind the Waimea and Hanapepe levees to be in a high-risk flood zone.

(Honolulu) – In the coming days and months it’s going to be hard to avoid the phrase, “Mālama Hawai‘i," when flying, staying in a hotel room, watching TV or enjoying the outdoors throughout the Hawaiian Islands. DLNR and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) have partnered to launch Mālama Hawai‘i, a comprehensive campaign designed to educate and remind visitors and kama‘āina about being respectful of the islands’ natural resources, protecting wildlife, and staying safe at all times while in Hawai‘i.

People who participated in the community forum on Rapid Ohia Death held at the West Hawaii Civic Center in Kona on March 30, 2019, again break into small groups for a second question and answer session with the experts. 

(Honolulu) – While the complete data is still being analyzed, aerial surveys of Hawai‘i Island, Kaua‘i, and parts of  east Maui earlier this year covered 1,081,000 acres of ʻōhiʻa forest being potentially impacted by the serious fungal disease known as Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD).  The overflights conducted by the Arizona State University (ASU) Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science in Hilo, utilize a high-tech turboprop aircraft loaded with sophisticated mapping and detection equipment.

In this video presentation from the community forum on Rapid Ohia Death held at the West Hawaii Civic Center in Kona on March 30, 2019, JB Friday of the University of Hawaii Extension Service chronicles the community outreach and education efforts underway statewide to bring attention to this fungal disease.

Dr. J.B. Friday of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources presents the latest research on the effects of Rapid Ohia Death on Hawaii’s forests and latest data from statewide aerial surveys conducted to try and detect ROD. The research was conducted by Dr. Flint Hughes of the USDA Forest Service and Ryan Perroy of the University of Hawaii-Hilo.

That’s a question Kylle Roy of the U.S. Geological Survey helps answer during the community forum on Rapid Ohia Death held at the West Hawaii Civic Center in Kona on March 30, 2019. This is one in a series of nine videos from presentations at the event.

Researchers and land managers rely on input from the public to better learn how invasive species like Rapid Ohia Death are affecting them.  This Community Input Forum at the community forum on Rapid Ohia Death held at the West Hawaii Civic Center in Kona on March 30, 2019, provided a chance for the experts to talk directly to citizens and get their feedback on the latest research and management tools being used to combat ROD.

(Honolulu) – Nearly one thousand feet of suspected illegal lay net was confiscated by officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) this morning.  This, after a DOCARE officer on routine patrol on the shoreline adjacent to the La Mariana Sailing Club Restaurant on Sand Island, spotted a man tending several large bags at about 6:30.The officer suspected the bags were filled with what appeared to be lay nets.