News Releases

HONOLULU -- A draft environmental assessment (Draft EA) detailing proposed improvements to the Mālaekahana State Recreation Area, Kahuku section for continued recreational use including camping, lodging and day use activities is now available for public review and comment.

(HONOLULU) – Today, a certified private arborist inspected the large ficus tree on the Judd Trail in the Honolulu Forest Reserve that fell yesterday, injuring a hiker. His report will become part of the state’s investigation into the accident and provide the basis for clearing the tree from the trail, which was closed after the incident.

HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources today posted the Judd hiking trail off Old Pali Road on Oahu as “CLOSED” until further notice due to a banyan tree which fell across the trail and Nuuanu stream this morning. A woman hiking the trail with eight companions was reportedly injured by the falling tree and assisted by Honolulu Fire Department. She was taken to a local hospital by Emergency Services in serious condition. No other injuries were reported. DLNR Enforcement division will further investigate this event.

This is what the Honolulu Star Advertiser had to say about the new film that depicts clean-up and law enforcement efforts in the Napali Coast State Wilderness Park:

(HONOLULU) – 19 year old Shylo Akuna of Eleele, Kauai was arrested this afternoon by officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) and NOAA Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) special agents in connection with the beating of a 17-year old pregnant monk seal on April 26, 2016.

HONOLULU – If you love your fresh-caught local lobster or Kona crab, you'd best catch it quick because the season closes this Sunday. The closed season for ula (spiny lobster), ula papapa (slipper lobster) and Kona crab runs from May 1 through the end of August. During that time it's illegal to take, possess, or sell these shellfish.

(HONOLULU) – Repeated sweeps of the Kalalau Section of the famed Napali Coast State Wilderness Park on Kauai since the first of the year, have resulted in 104 people receiving citations for unpermitted presence in the area. One man was arrested for four different violations. Under State law, only people with camping permits from the DLNR Division of State Parks can travel beyond Hanakapiai Stream, at the two-mile mark of the 11-mile-long trail.

HONOLULU -- To help improve ocean safety awareness for boaters and divers, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is launching an outreach campaign, starting this weekend at the Lanikai Boat Ramp in Kailua, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, April 30 and May 1, 2016.

(HONOLULU) – David Cohen is a proud papa for good reason. He and his team, working at the Anuenue Fisheries Research Center on Oahu’s Sand Island, have now planted 300,000 Native Hawaiian collector urchins (Tripneustes gratilla)into Kaneohe Bay to control two species of invasive algae.

HONOLULU –- The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation has commissioned a paving project at Ke‘ehi Small Boat Harbor in Honolulu. The paving will be carried out in three phases.