Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement

(Honolulu) – On Friday, four officers with the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) were recognized for their efforts to revive an unconscious, lifeless man at Keehi Small Boat Harbor on O‘ahu in July.

(Honolulu) – During a ceremony today, six experienced law enforcement officers became the first graduates of the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) Academy.  Over the course of six weeks the officers, all of whom come from municipal, state or federal police agencies, received immersive training in conservation enforcement. 

(Honolulu) – The wreckage of a Robinson R44 helicopter was airlifted out of waist deep water in Kaneohe Bay just before noon today.  Two DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) officers assisted a rigger from Pacific Helicopters in getting straps and ropes around the chopper, which had turned on one side during or after the accident.

(Manoa) – Over the course of eight hours today, officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) contacted and educated more than 100 people concerning the current Manoa Falls Trail closure.

(Honolulu) – At least ten people on a Hawaiian Lava Boat Tours vessel were injured this morning after an explosion sent lava through the roof of the boat’s passenger cabin.  Other reports indicate as many as 12 passengers were hurt. Officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) along with the Hawai‘i County Police Dept. are investigating the incident.

(Hilo) – DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources (DOCARE) officers cited two more people for allegedly being in a closed area in the East Rift Eruption Zone over the weekend.

(Honolulu) – One benefit of a smaller and quieter than usual 4th of July Waikiki flotilla was a big reduction in the amount of trash accumulating in the ocean and on the beach. For several years volunteers from Sustainable Coastlines and other beach clean-up organizations had boats in the water and people on the beach to pick-up after the ocean-going party. This year the groups elected to focus their attention on regularly scheduled beach clean-ups and were not able to support post-flotilla rubbish removal.

(Hilo) – Over the past week the number of citations written for loitering in closed areas in the East Rift Eruption Zone has dropped.  Officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement have only written two citations, bringing the total since the eruption began in early May to 84.

(Honolulu) – Compared to the past two Independence Day flotillas off Waikiki, this year’s was tame.  Officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) joined with counterparts from the Honolulu Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division and the U.S. Coast Guard to show an enormous safety presence at today’s annual ocean gathering.

(Honolulu) – Local non-profit marine protection organizations are offering $5000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the deaths of dozens of Hammerhead shark pups found at Keehi Boat Harbor last Tuesday, June 26th. The exact cause of death remains unknown, however, illegal nets are suspected. While this case was the first to be reported in this area; there have been a number of reports across the state where sharks appear to have been intentionally tortured or killed.