News Releases

(HONOLULU) – While workers associated with the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) on Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island begin maintenance and repair activities, hunting and other recreational activities and research also continue on the mountain. Suzanne Case, Chairperson of the Department of Land and Natural Resources said, “Mauna Kea is very much a multiple-use area for a wide array of cultural, recreational and research activities. Our goal is to ensure that people on the mountain conduct themselves responsibly and with respect for other users. As local workers prepare to begin work at the TMT site, we want to remind people of other simultaneous activities that may be occurring on the mountain.”

(HANALEI, KAUAI) – Hanalei Stream is again flowing freely and within its banks after the completion of a multi-million dollar stream restoration project. Hanalei is one of only two EPA National Heritage rivers west of the Rockies. A breach in its bank, 20 years ago, diverted water from the stream and often flooded adjacent properties after heavy rains. This break also reduced stream flow entering an intake pipe that provides water for Hawaii’s largest taro growing complex, and habitat for endangered native birds within the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge.

HONOLULU – Two well-known and popular community locations in Honokaa, Hawaii were recently added to the National Register of Historic Places:

Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi, November 3, 2015) A historic project more than 30 years in the making took place on Kauaʻi’s north shore on Monday when 10 downy endangered Hawaiian Petrel chicks were flown by helicopter from their montane nesting area to a new colony protected by a predator-proof fence at Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge.

KAMUELA, HAWAII ­ — The public is invited to an Arbor Day plant sale on Friday, November 5 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife Kamuela State Tree Nursery, located at 66-1220-A Lalamilo Rd. in Kamuela.

LIHU‘E ­ — The public is invited to an Arbor Day plant sale on November 6 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife baseyard and nursery at 4398-D Pua Loke St. (follow the palm trees past the Dept. of Water and Dept. of Agriculture offices).

(HONOLULU) – More than 3,000 people have received a permit at no charge from the DLNR Division of State Parks this year for driving access to a coastal portion of Kaena Point State Park Reserve - Mokuleia section on Oahu’s north shore. The permit system was instituted as an attempt to curtail habitat damage caused by and accelerated by off-road vehicle use; to reduce soil erosion into the high quality near-shore waters frequented by fishers; and to stop other illegal and damaging activities. The permits, valid 24-hours a day, 365-days a year (unless the park is closed for weather or emergency reasons), allow drivers to transit designated roads, in a safe manner, behind a locked gate at the end of the paved road in the park.

HANALEI -- Last night a 33 foot vessel, Serenity, belonging to Randy Perez, was leaving Hanalei bay when his motor died. He hoisted sail but it tore so the vessel drifted back into the bay. The vessel dropped anchor, but due to high surf it broke its mooring and washed onto the rocks on the bay’s west side at Waipa. The vessel suffered a hole in its port side (left) of the hull. Perez was injured while trying to get off the vessel and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

KAILUA-KONA, HAWAI‘I – Planned improvements to Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area in Waimea between Kawaihae and Puako, are the subject of a community meeting taking place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2015, at the mauka dining hall in the park.

HONOLULU -- The ‘Aha Moku Advisory Committee (AMAC) has scheduled a series of public meetings on O‘ahu in November 2015 to seek comment from communities in Oahu’s ‘ahupua‘a districts as it develops and adopts rules for its operation and administration