(HONOLULU) – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of State Parks has set up a new on-line format to issue free annual permits for anyone wanting to drive a vehicle into the Mokuleia section of Kaena Point State Park Reserve on Oahu’s north shore. Today the DLNR Division of State Parks released a 2 ½-minute-long video that walks interested people through the new application process. It can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/148168047
News Releases
(HONOLULU) – The Kokee Forest Restoration and Recovery Project on Kauai is being recognized by the U.S.D.A. Forest Service for the 2015 Western Regional Forester’s Honor Award. The project is ambitious in that it strives to reforest nearly 1,000 acres of burnt Eucalyptus and Pine plantations using koa and other native trees and plants. The forest (1,000 acres) and brushland (2,000 acres) was severely scorched by three wildfires during the summer of 2012. This unprecedented attempt to re-forest using native species is a first on State lands and thus far has involved the removal of some 6,000 tons of non-native trees burned during the fires. Once complete, there will be over 15,000 tons of flammable biomass removed from the area.
HONOLULU -- Fans of Department of Land and Natural Resources’ annual State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) photographic calendar will find a unique historic journey in the 2016 edition, which highlights the evolution of Hawaii’s agricultural field systems, from the first Polynesian voyagers, up to the modern revitalization of some systems by nonprofit groups. Proponents of this style of ‘malama ‘aina’ are now enriching lives through sustenance agriculture as well as education and cultural practices.
(KIHEI, MAUI) – Today, a group of volunteers returned from Kanapou, Kaho’olawe after spending the last four days removing marine debris from the shores of the protected and culturally significant island. This project was funded by the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ “Japan Goodwill Fund.” In 2013 the State of Hawaii received $250,000 as part of an initial partial distribution of a $5 million gift to the United States by the Government of Japan to help the Pacific Coast States (AK, WA, OR, CA & HI) address marine debris associated with the massive 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. For this week’s project, an estimated 1.5 tons was collected by the volunteers and removed by helicopter airlift from Kahoolawe to Maui for disposal. Some materials were kept on island for use in erosion control projects.
The Aiea Loop Trail has been opened. Damages caused by large fallen trees and landslides have been repaired. The Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area and Aiea Loop Trail are open.
LIHU‘E, KAUA‘I -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) announces the availability of feral goat control permits in Hunting Unit A, Kekaha Game Management Area (GMA) on the island of Kaua‘i, pursuant to Title 13, Chapter 123-2.2, 5, 5.1 and 9 in “Rules Regulating Game Mammal Hunting.”
HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources has temporarily closed the ‘Aiea Loop Trail in Keaiwa Heiau State Recreational Area, for public safety, due to two landslides with fallen trees on the trail.
LIHU'E – The Department of Land and Natural Resources is reminding Kaua‘i residents that Laysan albatross breeding season on Kaua‘i is from November through July. DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife is distributing informational flyers on Kaua‘i in the Moloa‘a and Waipeke residential areas of north Kaua‘i, to encourage the public to help protect these vulnerable seabirds.
HONOLULU — The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) reminds the fishing public that the season for ‘ama‘ama (striped mullet) will be closed from Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, through Thursday, March 31, 2016.
(HONOLULU) – Extensive, mass coral bleaching across the entire Hawaiian archipelago is prompting the development of a comprehensive coral reef management plan for near-shore waters in the main Hawaiian Islands. Dr. Bruce Anderson, the administrator for the DLNR Division of Aquatic (DAR) Resources explained, “Coral bleaching in some parts of Hawaii is unprecedented in recorded history, placing our corals at much greater risk of dying. We need to ensure our reefs are as healthy and resilient as possible to maximize the chances of recovery.” However, in a response to a recent inquiry, Anderson added “Aquarium fish collecting is not thought to contribute significantly to the problem, while declines in populations of large-scale coral scraping herbivores such as parrot fish (uhu) are a significant issue for our reef health.”