Department of Land and Natural Resources

(Honolulu) – A large panel van, full of hundreds of pounds of construction debris was towed from alongside the coastline at east O‘ahu’s Maunalua Bay this afternoon.  The truck sporting graffiti, broken windows, and flat tires was apparently towed to the bay’s parking lot several months ago and abandoned.

(Hilo) – Today at 7:45 a.m. the gate to Lava Tree State Monument in the Puna District on Hawai‘i Island will open for the first time in more than seven months. The state park within eyesight of the East Rift Zone’s Fissure 8 was closed shortly after Kīlauea began erupting in May.

The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) is inviting Kaua‘i residents to submit applications for positions on a community council to advise the Na Ala Hele Trails and Access Program. 

(Honolulu) – On Friday, four officers with the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) were recognized for their efforts to revive an unconscious, lifeless man at Keehi Small Boat Harbor on O‘ahu in July.

(Honolulu) – During a ceremony today, six experienced law enforcement officers became the first graduates of the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) Academy.  Over the course of six weeks the officers, all of whom come from municipal, state or federal police agencies, received immersive training in conservation enforcement. 

(Lihue) - Rapid ʻŌhi‘a Death (ROD), a disease killing ʻōhiʻa trees, has been confirmed at two new locations on Kaua‘i. Since ROD was discovered in Moloa‘a State Forest Reserve in 14 trees earlier this year, a collaborative team of scientists from state, federal, and private organizations has been working together to survey the island and develop response plans to an introduced disease threat facing Hawai‘i’s native tree. ʻŌhiʻa is considered foundational to Hawaiian forests and culture.

HONOLULU – The year 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the formal opening of the Hawai‘i State Capitol. Dedicated on March 15, 1969, the 10th anniversary of the passing of the Hawai‘i Statehood Bill by Congress, the building stands unique among the other 49 state capitol buildings, proclaiming Hawai‘i to be part of the United States, but not part of America.

(Honolulu) - Hawaii’s Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, meeting yesterday in Honolulu recognized that ground transportation contributes significantly to Hawai‘i’s share of greenhouse gas emissions. The Commission supports mechanisms to reduce overall vehicle miles traveled as well as converting all remaining vehicle-based ground transportation to renewable, zero-emission fuels and technologies.

(Lahaina) - The Hawai‘i Commission on Water Resource Management has adopted instream flow standards for Kahoma and Kanahā streams in West Maui, aimed at providing mauka to makai streamflow for native stream animals and traditional and customary practices.

(Honolulu) – Mosquitos and rats can be pests for people, but they’re also very harmful to our endangered native birds. The Kauai Forest Bird Recovery Project (KFBRP) is starting an end-of-the-year fundraising and outreach campaign to help the native birds on the island recover their population.