HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) continues to respond to reports of possible Japan Tsunami Marine Debris items that arrive on island reefs and beaches. Today, a DLNR crew retrieved a reported 20’ skiff at Sandy Beach area, bearing Japanese characters and vessel registration numbers. It is the seventh boat reported since February this year, following six others that arrived on Hawaii shores. Three were on the Big Island, at Kohanaiki, Kawaihae and Kawa Bay. One was overturned on Maui near the Aston Mahana, and two on Oahu were reported, at Kahuku and Punaluu.
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HONOLULU -- Today the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of State Parks (DSP), reached an interim revocable permit agreement with Pro Park, Inc. for a parking operation at Diamond Head State Monument. Pro Park will begin operating and collecting entrance fees effective tomorrow (Wed., April 22, 2015) and the park will operate as normal.
Kapalua, Maui– A group of volunteers, led by staff from the Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project, banded 150 adult wedge-tailed shearwaters at a Kapalua colony in West Maui last night. Spring nighttime efforts to capture returning adults to look for banded birds recruiting into the breeding population began in 2008. Additionally unbanded adults are banded during the project.
(Honolulu) – On March 25, two critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals (Neomonachus schauinslandi) were successfully returned to Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument after being rehabilitated at The Marine Mammal Center’s Ke Kai Ola Hawaiian Monk Seal Hospital in Kona. The seals were rescued last year in an emaciated state, one on Kure Atoll and another on Laysan Island, during NOAA Fisheries Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program’s field camp season.
HONOLULU – A relatively rare set of weather conditions led to erosion issues this winter in Waikiki, particularly in the area near the Royal Hawaiian Groin. Sam Lemmo, administrator of the DLNR Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands (OCCL) said, “Weather conditions influence sand deposition in Waikiki. Under normal trade wind conditions, sand generally moves along the shoreline in the Ewa direction. This winter sand has moved in the opposite direction, due to a weather anomaly, resulting in a serious erosion hotspot at the groin.” Kyoya, the owner of the Royal Hawaiian, responded to the “washout” surrounding the stairs, by installing sandbags. Exposed metal on the Royal Hawaiian groin was removed to prevent injuries to ocean users. Late last year, media reports focused on the loss of sand on the beach adjacent to the Kuhio Beach groin.
Kahului, Maui– When Hurricane Iselle stormed through the Hawaiian Islands in August 2014, it left a wide path of destruction in forests from the Big Island of Hawaii to Maui and all the way up the chain to Kauai. Hurricane force winds toppled trees in state forest and natural reserves and in some state Parks. Most of the damage was to stands planted forplantation/timbering purposes and were not native trees.
At a ceremony at the Hawaii State Capitol today, Governor David Ige proclaimed Invasive Species Awareness Week. This was one part of a day-long celebration to bring attention to the issue of invasive species across the islands and to recognize volunteers, organizations and businesses who continue to play a critical role in addressing what the legislature has described as the biggest threat to life in Hawaii.
HILO -- Amateurs and professional lei artists of all ages are invited to demonstrate their lei-making skills in the second annual Kauluwehi Lei Contest 2015, from May 1 to 8. This is a juried lei art contest, award ceremony and exhibition celebrating the native plant species, Hawaiian culture and sustainable picking practices on Hawaii Island. The event at the Wailoa Center in Hilo, will also feature refreshments, live music, keiki and adult crafts.
HISAW Kaneohe Bay Invasive Algae Control Project
HONOLULU – Little fire ants, coconut rhinoceros beetles, albizia trees, rats, mongoose, strawberry guava, coqui frogs, miconia, fireweed and invasive algae all share one common trait. As invasive species, they provide examples of some of the worst offenders among the many plants and animals that pose what the state legislature has declared as “the single greatest threat to Hawaii’s economy, natural environment and to the health and lifestyle of Hawaii’s people.” Hawaii’s isolation has made our island state home to more invasive species than anywhere else in the U.S.