Department of Land and Natural Resources

 (Honolulu) - The saga of a juvenile koholā (humpback whale) that began in January 1986 when it stranded on the shore of Kūheia on the island of Kanaloa Kahoʻoawe, came to a meaningful closing on August 15, 2018 (Kūpau Moon).

(HONOLULU) – More than 30 government and non-government organizations from across the state launched the 2018 Wildfire LOOKOUT! campaign this week to raise awareness about the threat of wildfire to Hawaii’s natural resources as well as private and public property. This comes on the heels of a series of wildfires across the state over the past few weeks.

(Honolulu) -The National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) of the US Department of Agriculture has provided the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) with a final report of its monitoring efforts relating to the presence of diphacinone, an anticoagulant rodenticide, used as part of an effort to restore native species habitat on Lehua Island. The multi-feed bait containing the rodenticide was applied to the island in August and September 2017. This is an attempt to eradicate invasive rats from the island and increase reproductive success for native birds and plants.

HONOLULU—The Ka‘iwa Ridge or “Lanikai Pillbox” hike will re-open on Monday, August 20 after a 60-day closure to rehabilitate the two observation stations, commonly called “pillboxes.”  DLNR requests the cooperation of hikers to not prematurely hike the closed trail while final work is still being completed this weekend.

(HONOLULU) - The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), will close the Manoa Falls Trail next week to conduct a rockfall mitigation survey on August 20, 21, and 22. The survey, conducted by DLNR and AECOM, will assess and document potential hazards within the falls viewing area.

HONOLULU --  Road and parking lot paving projects are scheduled at two O‘ahu state parks this month, as part of regular parks maintenance work.  Starting next week, Monday August 13 through Monday August 20, Nu‘uanu Pali State Wayside will be closed, due to paving of the vehicle parking lot, followed by pavement curing and striping.  Gates along the park access roads will be locked on both sides of the Pali highway, therefore there will be no vehicle access to the lookout.  If the project is completed prior to August 20, the park will reopen earlier.

HILO -- The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife will close the Waimanu valley campground and Ainapo cabin Tuesday through Wednesday, for public safety due to the approach of Hurricane Hector.  There may be flooding risk at Waimanu due to possible effects of a king tide, storm surge and heavy rainfall. Ainapo may face possible impacts due to tropical strength winds and rainfall. 

(Honolulu) – Thirty (30) DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) firefighters continue battling a 1,500 acre wildfire in the Wai‘anae Kai Forest Reserve which started Saturday morning around 10.  The Honolulu Fire Dept. requested DOFAW assistance at noon and Ryan Peralta, a DOFAW fire incident commander, was on scene at 2 p.m.

 (Hilo) - The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife announces the temporary closure of the public archery hunt in the youth and disabled area and makai section of the Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Forest Reserve.

HONOLULU --  The DLNR Division of State Parks will close the parking lot at the Keawaula (Yokohama beach) section of Kaena Point State Park, from Monday August 6 through Monday August 13, 2018 for repaving and restriping, weather permitting. The parking lot will be barricaded after paving to allow the asphalt to cure. If rain causes delay, dates may be pushed back. If work is completed sooner, the parking lot will reopen.