Department of Land and Natural Resources

(KAPA‘A, KAUA‘I) - The cause of death of a 56-foot-long, 120,000-pound sperm whale, that appeared on the reef fronting Lydgate Park, won’t likely be determined for some time. 

(Kīhei, Maui) – Drainage improvements to the Kīhei Boat Ramp wash down area on Maui will begin Feb. 6, 2023. The project contract was awarded to Global Specialty Contractors, Inc. by the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR).

(HONOLULU) – Small invertebrates and microfauna, like endangered Hawaiian picture-winged flies, play an important role in providing balance to our natural ecosystems.

(Hanapēpē, Kaua‘i) - The Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project (KFBRP) is holding its annual Hawaiian blessing for the 2023 field season, which for at least two species of Hawaiian honeycreepers is a critical year.

(Lehua Islet) - After being declared rat-free in 2021, restoration and monitoring efforts continue on Lehua Islet (Lehua), a small, uninhabited island off the west coast of Kauaʻi. Monitoring of native seabird species breeding on the islet by the Kauaʻi Endangered Seabird Recovery Project (KESRP) and the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) indicates a success story, based on increased reproductive success following eradication of the rat population. Work on Lehua is now in the restoration phase. Lehua is a State Seabird Sanctuary managed by DOFAW.

(KAHULUI) – A female nēnē was struck and killed by a passenger truck on Haleakalā Highway near the Dairy Road/Keolani Place junction in Kahului last Tuesday. This outcome has become too familiar in recent years and the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) wants to bring awareness to Hawai‘i residents that these human-caused deaths are preventable.

(Pu‘u Maka‘ala Natural Area Reserve, Hawai‘i Island) – Native hawaiian honeycreepers face multiple threats from predation, habitat loss, and disease. Their declining populations contribute to Hawaiiʻs unfortunate reputation as the “Extinction Capital of the World”. However, the decades-long reforestation of Puʻu Makaʻala provides an outstanding example of the value of native forest restoration and endangered species protection.

(Peacock Flats Road, O‘ahu) – The ranks of the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) will expand by 50% in mid-March, when 42 recruits will be commissioned as Hawai‘i Conservation Resources Enforcement Officers (CREOs).

(Kahului, Maui) - A random act, actually continued acts of kindness, is bringing to light the Aloha spirit demonstrated by a long-time state parks worker.

(Kihei, Maui) – An estimated five tons of marine debris was airlifted this morning from Kaho‘olawe to Maui, with most of it destined for recycling as “new life” products.