(HONOLULU) – As predicted, coral reefs across Hawaii from Kure Atoll, the northernmost land feature in the Hawaiian Archipelago, to Hawaii Island are starting to feel the effects of coral bleaching. This is a result of coral sensitivity to rises in ocean temperatures as small as 1-2 degrees. Climate experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Coral Reef Watch program forecasted severe coral bleaching conditions for Hawaiian waters beginning in August and continuing through October. The warnings indicate that high ocean temperatures compounded by an El Nino event have a strong likelihood of causing mass coral bleaching across Hawaii. Last summer saw the first documented event of mass bleaching across the entire archipelago, and reefs in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) experienced their third and worst reported mass bleaching event to date.
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(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 — A state boating administrative rule that is now permanent continues the ban on alcohol and drug use, and disorderly behavior, at the Kane‘ohe Sandbar, also known as Ahu O Laka.
(KAHULUI, MAUI) – The Nakula Natural Area Reserve (NAR) on the Leeward slopes of Maui’s Haleakala covers 1500 acres and spans elevations from 3600-9200 feet above sea level. The Nakula NAR was established in 2011 and is adjacent to the Kahikinui Forest Reserve. Both are components of the Leeward Haleakala Watershed Restoration Partnership (LHWRP).
(HONOLULU) - Andy Bohlander, a Shoreline Specialist with the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program, working with the DLNR Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands (OCCL), is a man with a lot of miles on his shoes. He is part of the team at OCCL charged with making sure that Hawaii’s public beaches remain accessible to the public and free of encroachments that may inhibit access, like structures and vegetation.
(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.
(HONOLULU) - Governor David Ige has signed into law, the first ever Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area (CBSFA) for Haena, Kauai. It was filed today. The result of years of discussions and collaboration between the Haena community and various stakeholders, this historic rules package gives the Haena hui an opportunity to protect its ocean resources, based on traditional fisheries management practices.
(HILO) - Early Friday morning, July 31, 2015, officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement arrested seven men, camping in the restricted area on Maunakea on Hawaii Island. The Hawaii County Police Department provided transportation support and booking and rangers from the Office of Mauna Kea Management provided logistical support. An additional six men were issued citations and voluntarily left the mountain.
KAHULUI, MAUI – Skippy Hau, an aquatics biologist with the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) has dedicated much of his career to studying the life cycles and movements of fresh water fishes, shrimp, and snails. Carefully navigating the slippery stream beds and rocks of east and central Maui, Hau has collected reams of data on the movements of five fishes (‘o‘opu), shrimp (‘opae), and snails (hihiwai). “Often we think of taking from the ocean only, but historically people have depended on harvests from freshwater streams for sustenance as well,” Hau explains.
The Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources unanimous decision to ban sea cucumber harvesting for 120 days was signed into law by Governor David Ige Friday evening. This video chronicles the entire board discussion and public testimony about the emergency rule making harvesting illegal; giving the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources the next four months to develop a permanent set of rules.