Department of Land and Natural Resources

(Honolulu) - Construction work is planned along the popular Makapu‘u lighthouse trail within the Ka‘iwi State Scenic Shoreline starting next week: Monday August 6 through Friday August 10, and Monday August 13 through Thursday August 16.

HILO – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) announces the release of “Saving ʻŌhiʻa, Hawaii’s Sacred Tree,” a new half-hour documentary on Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death, the disease that is killing ʻōhiʻa lehua, Hawaii's most widespread and important native tree. 

(Honolulu) – In an effort to restore open beach space by removing unauthorized vessels from state unencumbered lands at Lanikai Beach, state boating officials on June 15 posted notice to advise owners of 90 small boats to remove these items or they would be impounded.

(Honolulu) - A juvenile whale shark that was entangled with heavy rope in recent weeks has been freed. On Sunday a group of free divers located the whale shark off Kaunolū, Lānaʻi and after five dives were able to successfully cut the line.

(Hāʻena, Kaua‘i) – Representatives of four State of Hawai‘i Executive Branch departments provided more than 200 Hāʻena and Wainiha area residents with updates on current and planned construction work, the upcoming school year and mental health resources during a community meeting last night.  The standing-room only crowd at the YMCA’s Camp Naue received reports from the Dept. of Transportation (HDOT), the Dept. of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), the Dept. of Education (DOE), and the Dept. of Health (DOH). The community outreach forum was organized by Governor Ige’s Office of Constituent Services.

HONOLULU -- Grants from the State of Hawai‘i Land Conservation Fund support efforts by state agencies, counties, and nonprofit land conservation organizations to acquire land and protect resources for public benefit.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), through its Legacy Land Conservation Program, seeks applications from these partners for grants to preserve — forever — land that has natural, environmental, recreational, scenic, cultural, agricultural production, or historic value, including park and trail systems that provide access to such land.

(Honolulu) – After a full and detailed review of two Final Environment Assessments (EAs) prepared by the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), Suzanne Case, the Chair of the Board of Land and Natural Resources has determined that the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required. The determination is based on the significance criteria outlined in Title II, Chapter 200, Hawai‘i Administrative Rules.

(Honolulu) -The U.S. Coast Guard Barbers Point Air Station provided space on a low-flying C-130 plane to DLNR representatives today to look for any green sea turtles that could be trapped by lava flowing into the ocean on the coast near Kapoho Bay and the Pohoiki Boat Ramp.

(Honolulu) – Recent social media posts have shown photos and expressions of concern for sea turtles reportedly trapped or affected by the East Rift Zone Eruption on Hawai‘i island, in the Kapoho and Pohoiki areas.  DLNR and NOAA Fisheries are aware of these postings but so far there has been little actionable information.

(KAILUA-KONA) – Volunteers are invited to participate in a community workday on July 28th to help restore the anchialine pool at Ka’elehuluhulu Beach. The event is called Sand Castles for Conservation and the DLNR Division of State Parks are sponsoring it. People are encouraged to help build sand castles using only sand from the anchialine pool.