Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement

HONOLULU – An access gate at Ka’ena Point State Park Reserve, Mokule’ia section was locked at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014. Only people who applied for permits under the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) new vehicle access system can now drive on designated roads within the park. Pedestrians and bicyclists do not need a permit.

WAILUKU –Division of Conservation and Resources (DOCARE) Enforcement Officers and Makai Watch volunteers with the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Community Fisheries Enforcement Unit (CFEU) will be at the Maui Mall this Saturday, December 20, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help educate fishers about the new Maui Island fishing rules that became law on November 1.

HONOLULU -- Four Molokai men will face arraignment and hearings in Maui Circuit Court later this month after being arrested and charged for their roles in a confrontation between two groups of fishermen in Molokai waters. The investigation was conducted by Maui Police Department with the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE).

Honolulu - The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), along with the Conservation Council for Hawaii, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Monk Seal Foundation are now rewarding $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the illegal killing of a baby monk seal in Anahola, Kauai on November 30, 2014. That’s double the initial reward offered by HSUS after the killing was announced yesterday.

PUNA DISTRICT, HAWAII COUNTY -- Two guides who were involved in leading tours into the state Wao Kele O Puna Forest Reserve and Kahaualea Natural Area Reserve were arrested by Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) officers on Monday.. The charges were for prohibited entry into closed areas and for engaging in illegal commercial activities on DLNR-managed lands.

LIHU‘E, KAUA‘I – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in cooperation with the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), is investigating the suspicious death of a Hawaiian monk seal on the Northeast coast of Kauai. Anyone with information about this incident should call the toll-free, confidential reward tip line, 1-855-DLNR-TIP

HONOLULU - Hawaii’s Makai Watch Program is a collaborative program where communities, non-government organizations (NGOs), and the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) work together to improve stewardship of marine and coastal resources. This innovative program is modeled after the successful Neighborhood Watch programs.

HONOLULU - The state Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) today unanimously approved Hawaii's first ever Community Based Fisheries Subsistence Area (CBFSA) rule package for Haena on the island of Kauai. BLNR Chairperson William Alia said, "This is an historic action, following years of work by the Haena community in collaboration with Dept. of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) staff. This rules package gives the Haena hui an opportunity to protect its fisheries, based on traditional and customary practices. Native Hawaiians knew how to practice sustainability in order to feed their ohanas. This is strong recognition by government that we cannot do it alone and community-based management and buy-in is critical to sustaining Hawaii's precious natural resources for now and future generations."

Community Fisheries Enforcement Unit (CFEU) Video

For 10 years now Makai Watch volunteers have helped be the eyes and ears for the protection of special places across Hawaii. Makai Watch State Coordinator Luna Kekoa described the program today for the members of the Hawaii State Board of Land and Natural Resources.