Department of Land and Natural Resources

(Honolulu) – With today’s announcement that community spread of COVID-19 is likely happening in Hawai‘i, the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) has suspended all commercial operator permits until further notice.

(Honolulu) – Two men from O‘ahu’s North Shore were cited yesterday by officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE), after they were allegedly caught picking ‘opihi in the Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD). It is illegal to remove any marine life from an MLCD.

(Honolulu) – Out of an abundance of caution and to facilitate social distancing recommendations, DLNR and its divisions are announcing the following closures to help reduce the potential spread of COVID-19. DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said, “We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during this time of major inconvenience. We intend to reopen parks and facilities as soon as the novel coronavirus is no longer a threat. These steps are being taken to protect all visitors and constituents, as well as our staff, while maintaining a high level of service.”

(Līhu‘e) - The Kaua‘i Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death Working Group announced today two new detection sites where the fungal disease has killed ‘ōhi‘a, the most prevalent tree in Hawai‘i’s native forests and a tree critical for the preservation of Hawai‘i’s watersheds.

 (Hilo) – When the first group (cohort) of ‘Alalā (Hawaiian crow) were released in 2016, researchers and scientists knew that the project would encounter obstacles and challenges. Recovering this iconic Hawaiian species would require dedication, coordination, and adaptation. The ‘Alalā Project is now in the fourth year of releases, and despite losses, the project and the birds themselves are continuing to grow and learn in their new environment.

(Honolulu) – A taxi driver, operating in Diamond Head State Monument (DHSM) was arrested this morning by officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE). 69-year-old Eliu Kesi of Honolulu faces charges of Resisting an Order to Stop a Motor Vehicle, a misdemeanor and Reckless Driving of a Vehicle, a petty misdemeanor. His bail has been set at $2000.

(Honolulu) – Despite O‘ahu having the state’s highest population, the island has largely been spared from a wide-spread outbreak of the fungal disease known as Rapid ʻŌhiʻaDeath.  With the detection last week of a single tree with the less virulent strain of the fungus, C. huliohia, only five ōhiʻa trees on O‘ahu have been identified as having the disease.

(Honolulu) Today, Hawai’i Governor David Ige, DLNR Chair Suzanne Case, Trust For Public Land State Director Lea Hong, and funding partners celebrated the acquisition of forest and former pineapple cultivated lands in Central O‘ahu that are being added to the State’s Forest Reserve System. Over 2,800 acres of mountain watershed and agricultural lands have been conserved for forestry, native reforestation, water source protection and recreational purposes.

 (Honolulu) – As we near the spring season it marks the beginning of the annual Hawai‘i Big Tree Competition. The Big Tree Competition is sponsored by the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) and nonprofit organization American Forests. This competition aims to spotlight the largest trees of native species recognized in the registry, as well as raise awareness about the importance of healthy trees and forests.

(Honolulu) – Catastrophic wildfires, degraded watersheds, epidemics of invasive species and disease are but a few of the challenges facing forest managers across the country and in Hawai‘i. Add these threats to increasing demands for a variety of uses of public forest lands and managers have their hands full.