Division of Forestry and Wildlife

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

For Immediate News Release October 24, 2014 

HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) will hold a series of public informational meetings about the ongoing Kôkeʻe Area Restoration and Reforestation project. 

Governor Abercrombie issued an emergency proclamation calling for swift mitigation actions in response to the 2012 fires that burned nearly 3,000 acres and negatively impacted the Hikimoe, Hâ‘ele‘ele, Mâkaha, Miloli‘i, and Ka‘ula‘ula watersheds. Since then, a number of access roads have been improved and cleared of hazardous trees and grass seed has been applied throughout the burned areas to reduce erosion. In the spring of 2015 burnt trees will be sustainably harvested and replanting will take place from Oct. to Dec. of that year. Nâ Pali Kona and Puʻu Ka Pele Forest Reserves remain closed due to hazardous conditions. 

Public informational meetings to discuss this project will be held: 

• Monday, Nov. 3, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
  Kalâheo Elementary School Cafeteria  4400 Maka Rd, Kâlaheo, HI 96741
• Wednesday, Nov. 5, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.        
  Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School Cafeteria  4431 Nuhou St., Lîhuʻe, HI  96766 
• Thursday, Nov. 6, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.          
  Waimea Canyon Middle School Cafeteria 9555 Huakaʻi Rd, Waimea, HI 96796 

Anyone requiring special assistance, auxiliary aids or services (i.e. sign language interpreter, wheel chair accessibility, or parking designated for the disabled) please contact the Kauaʻi DOFAW Outreach and Education Specialist at (808) 212-8718 within 72-hours of the scheduled meeting to request arrangements.

Dan Dennison                                 
Senior Communications Manager                 
Office of the Chair
Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 130 
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 

Tel    808-587-0407 
Cell   808-295-8749 
Fax   808-587-0390 
[email protected]