Department of Land and Natural Resources

(Nakula Natural Area Reserve, Maui) – In late October, thirteen critically endangered kiwikiu (Maui Parrotbill), were brought to the leeward slope of Haleakalā in the state’s Nakula Natural Area Reserve (NAR). Over the past decade more than a quarter million native trees were planted in this NAR and the adjacent Kahikinui Forest Reserve to repair decades of habitat destruction caused by overgrazing by hooved animals like goats, cows, and sheep.

(Lihu‘e-Koloa Forest Reserve, Kaua‘i) - When botanist Adam Williams put on his orange t-shirt this morning he knew he’d be rappelling. As a certified arborist with the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), Williams is accustomed to climbing trees and down cliffs in search of rare plants.

(Lihu‘e) --  For the past two years the Wailua Management Road (Loop Road) in the Lihu‘e Koloa Forest Reserve has experienced severe damage and continues to pose a public safety hazard.  This road leads to the Blue Hole area. Due to unforeseen circumstances, construction has not started, but that is about to change.

(Honolulu) – Prompted by this year’s coral bleaching event, staff with the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), are introducing The Coral Pledge. It is a common sense, six-step reminder, of how everyone can help, by not adding stress to coral reefs during this time of bleaching.  While everyone is encouraged to take the pledge, it is targeted to the visitor and tourism industry.

(Honolulu) – The widespread coral bleaching event predicted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) did impact reefs across Hawai‘i, beginning with warm ocean temperatures in the summer, extending into the fall.

(Wailuku) – Today, a blessing and ribbon cutting marked the completion of a new 8,000 square-foot building, housing four divisions of the Department of Land and Natural Resources on Maui.

(Wailuku) – Yesterday, a video documenting a substantial fish kill of native ‘o‘opu (gobies) at the mouth of the Wailuku River was brought to the attention of the Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM).  On Monday, CWRM began the installation of a fiberglass fish ladder on the face of the 22-foot vertical concrete wall located within the river’s flood control project just below the Market Street bridge.

(Li‘hue) – Off-leash dogs and feral cats are responsible for the massacre of between 140 and 150 Wedge-tailed Shearwaters (ʻUaʻu kani)  on Kaua‘i during this year’s nesting season.  The shoreline burrowing seabirds are easy prey for both dogs and cats. In the most recent incident, earlier this week at least 35 birds were found dead.

(Honolulu, HI) – A new Waikīkī Beach improvement project to help beach erosion is kicking off next week.  The project includes construction of a 95-foot-long sandbag groin and the transfer of 700 cubic yards of beach sand from the Diamond Head swim basin of Kuhio Beach. The groin and beach sand will serve to stabilize the Diamond Head (South east) end of Kuhio Beach park fronting the Duke Kahanamoku statue. The purpose of the project is to fix an erosion hot spot in the far eastern corner of Royal Hawaiian Beach until such time a larger master planning effort for Waikīkī Beach can be completed. 

(Honolulu) – The Wahiawā Freshwater State Recreation Area has been a fixture in the community for years featuring Lake Wilson as one of its prime features. This Saturday, the DLNR Division of State Parks is sponsoring a community event in partnership with the Wahiawā Community Based Development Organization (Wahiawā CBDO) entitled “A Day at Lake Wilson”.