State Parks

(HILO) - 19 officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE), with support from four Hawaii Police Department officers and a ranger with the Office of Mauna Kea Management, conducted a third law enforcement operation in the restricted area covered by the 120 day emergency rule, passed in June by the state Board of Land and Natural Resources.

HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of State Parks will close its campgrounds at the Kalanai (southern) section of Malaekahana State Recreation Area for approximately one month beginning September 20, 2015 for tree trimming and other needed maintenance.

The Dept. of Land and Natural Resources reached an understanding with protesters on Mauna Kea to remove a large tent across from the Mauna Kea Visitors Center. Yesterday officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) posted the tent as an illegal structure. Today in discussions with DLNR leadership, a protest leader agreed to remove the tent and to “lighten their presence” on the mountain. DOCARE officers will continue to monitor for the removal of illegal structures on the mountain.

HONOLULU - The Department of Land and Natural Resources will keep closed its coastal and low-lying state parks and forest areas (including wildlife sanctuaries, natural area reserves and game management areas) on all islands on Thursday morning until staff are able to monitor adjacent ocean conditions for safety before reopening them.

HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of State Parks will close the Makapu‘u Lighthouse Trail and parking lot at the Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline for seven (7) weekdays, starting tomorrow, Tuesday September 15 through Wednesday, September 23. The trail will be open during the weekend of September 19 and 20, however visitors should be aware that the trail will be rough and unpaved.

LIHU‘E, KAUA‘I — The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of State Parks will continue to accept public comments on the Master Plan and EIS for Ha‘ena State Park through October 8, 2015. The legal public comment period ended today, but is being extended in response to requests from the public to allow more time to review the large and complex document which sets a course for the future of the heavily-visited north shore state park.

(HILO) - Eight people were arrested early this morning at a protest camp across the road from the Mauna Kea Visitors Center on Hawaii island. Seven women and one man were arrested for being present in the restricted area, outlined in the emergency rule passed by the Board of Land and Natural Resources and signed by Governor Ige. All of those arrested were transported by the Hawaii County Police Department to Hilo for booking.

HONOLULU – Due in large part to the weather delays in the construction, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of State Parks is modifying the closure dates for Makapu‘u Lighthouse Trail in Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline. The trail will now be open from Friday, August 28 through Monday, September 14. To allow for the removal of the existing asphalt road and repaving of the one-mile long road, the trail will be closed for seven (7) days from Tuesday September 15 through Wednesday, September 23. The trail will be open on the weekend of September 19-20.

LIHU‘E, KAUA‘I -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of State Parks will hold a public meeting next week on the Master Plan and EIS for Hâ‘ena State Park and will be held on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Hanalei Elementary School Cafeteria. The address is 5-5415 Kûhio Highway, Hanalei, HI 96714.

(LIHUE, KAUAI) – The Kalalau Trail in the Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park is likely the most heavily used hiking trail in Hawaii. An estimated 500,000 visitors and residents use the spectacular trail each year. Sandwiched between the ocean and the towering cliffs of the Na Pali Coast, the trail is widely featured in guide books, on travel websites and in blogs.