Department of Land and Natural Resources

(Makawao) - Approximately a dozen pine and eucalyptus trees as tall as 70-feet in the Makawao State Forest Reserve on Maui will be assessed and flagged for removal from February 16-29, 2020. The trees surround the upper parking lot of the Kahakapao Recreation Area (KRA).

(Honolulu) – People are being cautioned to stay out of the ocean between Keawakapu Beach and White Rock Beach in the Wailea district on Maui after several sharks were spotted this morning.

(Waialua, O‘ahu) – The moment a 250-pound Green Sea Turtle hit the shoreline, it was a beeline back to the ocean.  The turtle, marked as 1036, was released on a beach here yesterday, after having its right front flipper amputated almost three weeks ago.

 (Hilo) – Following the latest mass coral bleaching event in Hawaiian waters last fall, the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) elected to use an equipment rich, aerial platform to map and access the health of reefs along the more than 700 miles of shoreline in the Main Hawaiian Islands.

 (Honolulu) – A critical parcel of land for protecting an important watershed on Moloka‘i’s east side has been acquired by the State. Pua‘ahala was previously owned by K&H Horizons Hawai‘i. It comprises 800 acres of an entire ahupua‘a from the top of the mountain to the ocean. It will protect the island’s remaining watershed forests and cultural resources, as well as safeguard freshwater resources that sustain the people of Moloka‘i.  

 (Honolulu) – A new law passed during the 2019 legislative session requires that all applicable vessels have insurance with a minimum of $100,000 in coverage that will cover the removal and salvage of a grounded vessel.

 (Līhuʻe) - Nearly 40 years ago an intergovernmental treaty was signed that provided the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. World Wetlands Day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. Each year since 1997, government agencies and community organizations have offered programs aimed at raising awareness about the values and benefits of wetlands.

(Honolulu) – A 22-year veteran of the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) was recognized today as “Hawai‘i Wildlife Officer of the Year” by Shikar-Safari Club International Foundation. The club and its foundation support educational projects nationwide and in Canada related to wildlife management, hunting and shooting sports.

 (Honolulu) – People have expressed concerns about the future of the Wailua Reservoir, which is part of the East Kaua‘i Irrigation System.  Prior to Dec. 31, 2019, the reservoir was under the management of the East Kaua‘i Water Users Cooperative (EKWUC) operating under a DLNR revocable permit. The EKWUC voted against continuation of the RP on Sept. 3rd last year, which resulted in the year-end expiration of the permit.

(Honolulu) – The 2020-2024 update to the original strategic response plan for the fight against Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death notes many challenges ahead. Released today, the plan calls for additional funding of $4 million, each year, over the next five years to continue progress toward understanding and addressing the fungal disease that has seriously impacted Hawai‘i’s native forests.