Department of Land and Natural Resources

 (Honolulu) – With many of Hawai‘i’s most popular trails seeing record numbers of hikers, Hawai‘i Tourism (HTA), is providing $530,000 to the DLNR Na Ala Hele Trail and Access System. This is in addition to more than $540,000 HTA has provided for a wide range of DLNR initiatives and programs over the past year for a total of $1,071,390 in support of the HTA strategic strategy of informing and educating local residents and visitors on how to properly approach the environment and to support efforts to restore certain natural and cultural resources around the state. 

Beginning Monday, July 15, the Mānoa Falls Trail will undergo periodic closures for construction to improve the upper portion of the trail. This is to ensure public safety as heavy equipment will be operating on potentially unstable terrain. It is anticipated the trail will only be open every other week and on weekends.

(HONOLULU) – Vandalism to King Kamehameha III’s Summer Palace at Kaniakapūpū in the spring of 2016 and again this year prompted the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) and the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) to install barriers around the crumbling 175-year-old historically and culturally significant structure. It has been on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places since 1986.

 (Honolulu) – Don’t let last week’s heavy rains fool you and create a sense of complacency. All signs point to a busy time for wildland firefighters across the state, fueled by higher than normal temperatures, drought conditions, and abundant vegetation created by two successive rainy winter seasons.

(Kona)- The DLNR Division of State Parks will conduct early closures of several West Hawaii parks on the Fourth of July holiday.Kekaha Kai State Park, including the Mahaiula and Maniniowali (Kua Bay) sections; Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area, including the Waialea Bay section; Lapakahi State Park; and Kiholo State Park Reserve will all close at 5 p.m. on July 4, 2019.

(Kailua-Kona) – In order to support a growing demand for recreational space in the North Kona District, the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) is conducting a civic use study to gauge community interest in recreational and subsistence uses, such as hiking, hunting, and gathering other forest resource in Honua‘ula Forest Reserve. As part of the study, DOFAW has scheduled an open meeting to present and receive input on the Kailua-Kona community’s preferences and potential management strategies to support anticipated future increase in activity.

(Honolulu)-The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will be participating in the State of Hawaii Career Fair on Saturday, June 29, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Hawaii State Capitol, 4th Floor Lanai, at 415 S. Beretania Street.

(Honolulu) — Do you know a school, community group, non-profit organization, or business that cares about greening our environment? Funding is available to help get your project off the ground.  The DLNR’s Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program announces a call for statewide grant applications that support urban and community forestry.

 (Honolulu) -  Out-of-state visitors and commercial tour buses will begin paying parking fees at Koke‘e and Waimea Canyon State Parks on Kaua‘i beginning Friday, June 28, 2019.These fees were approved by Governor Ige in December of 2015 and had previously been approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) in 2010. A DLNR Division of State Parks analysis of parking and entry fees for large state parks frequented by visitors and commercial tours companies were identified as a source for critically needed operating funds.

(Kona)-Preparations have begun for lifeguards to be stationed at Kekaha Kai State Park, Manini‘ōwali Beach (Kua Bay) section and as a result the park will be opening later than usual on three days next week at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday June 25, Wednesday June 26 and Friday June 28, 2019.