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.
slider
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.
Kauluwehi – A Lei Contest Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), Hawai‘i Island Natural Area Reserves (NARS), the Three Mountain Alliance (TMA), and the Wailoa Arts and Cultural Center are ...
Read More 2015 – Kauluwehi Lei Contest
HONOLULU – A keyword search of “Sacred Falls” online reveals dozens and dozens of websites related to the long-closed Hawaii state park. Unfortunately many of these sites and blogs continue to encourage hikers and others to visit Sacred Falls State Park, though it's been closed since shortly after a 1999 Mother’s Day accident which killed eight people and left dozens of others seriously hurt.
Logging operations begin in the Koke'e area of Kauai begin this month. Crews will be felling, removing and trucking an estimated 15,000 tons of trees burned in a series of fires during the summer of 2012. In this video, representatives from the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife discuss this project along with the contract logging company, Woodward and Companies. This video was produced from a public informational meeting held in Kekaha on Feb. 11, 2015.
HONOLULU – Two weeks after scientists announced that many coral colonies in Kaneohe Bay were showing signs of recovery from a fall 2014 bleaching event, reefs there are now facing a new threat. The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) and the US Geological Survey (USGS) are investigating the presence of a disease called Acute Montipora White Syndrome (aMWS). It was first detected on patch reefs in the bay within the past few weeks.