Department of Land and Natural Resources

(Honolulu) – Building on the success of collector urchin out-plantings in Kāne‘ohe  Bay, the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) is now out-planting hatchery-raised native sea urchins in the Waikīkī Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD).  This week the DAR Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) team introduced the first of 100,000 native sea urchins (Tripneustes gratilla), to help control over 4 acres of invasive algae.

(Kawaihae) - On Thursday, February 20, 2020, the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) received information concerning the illegal harvesting of aquarium fish offshore of Kawaihae, Hawai’i County.  Acting on the information received, DOCARE Officers conducted a commercial fishing gear and catch inspection of the vessel “Masako” when it returned to the Kawaihae Small Boat Harbor.  Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) personnel also responded to assist with the inspection. 

(Hilo) –Archery hunting in the Pu’uanahulu Game Management area (GMA) begins Sunday, March 1, 2020 and continues weekends and state holidays through Sunday, June 28, 2020. The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) also announce that the annual closure of the archery season in this GMA will be from July through February.

 (Honolulu) –World-famous Waikīkī Beach is Hawaiʻi’s primary draw for tourists and the chief economic driver of Hawaiʻi’s economy.  It has a fascinating history. Beginning in the 1930’s and continuing into the 1960’s one of the world’s most iconic beaches was built with stone and sand imported from different parts of the state. 

(Honolulu) – While work to repair two sections of the Ala Wai Canal wall has been ongoing since last October, dredging to remove accumulated silt and sediments from the canal is scheduled to start sometime the last week of this month.

(Hilo) – The spring season for bearded turkey hunting on Hawai‘i Island begins Sunday March 1, 2020. The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) announces the opening of the spring season which will run for 46 consecutive days through Wednesday, April 15, 2020. 

(Li‘hue) – The Miloli‘i Road gate and the Nu‘alolo Trail in Kōkeʻe State Park on Kaua‘i, will be closed beginning tonight. They are expected to reopen Thursday morning. The closure is at the request of the Kaua‘i Police Dept. and the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) and is necessary for a law enforcement operation.

 (Hilo) – 129 anglers, or all ages, registered for the week-long Wailoa River Tilapia Fishing Tournament, staged by the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) and other partners. It wrapped up yesterday with an awards and outreach event at the Wailoa Art Center.

(Honolulu) – Salvage teams from Parker Marine will be working today and possibly tomorrow in another attempt to free sailing vessel Prelude from shallow waters off Kaimana Beach on O‘ahu’s south shore. The boat grounded on a reef, about 300 feet off-shore, on Sunday.  An earlier attempt to free it wasn’t successful due to strong winds, the water depth, and the position of the boat on the reef.

(Honolulu) - Anyone who witnessed or has information on a case of Hawaiian monk seal harassment is encouraged to call the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) or NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement (OLE).