Department of Land and Natural Resources

HONOLULU -- The Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) voted on May 11, 2018 to approve administrative fines against Henry K. Pomroy, Bill A. Fujimoto, and Ho‘okupu Fish Company, LLC, regarding instances of illegal commercial lava boat tours on Hawai‘i Island.  Pomroy was issued a criminal citation for violation of Hawai‘i Administrative Rules, but the Hawai‘i County Prosecuting Attorney's Office dismissed the criminal citation, leading the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) to bring a civil enforcement action to the BLNR.  A contested case hearing was held on the enforcement action and BLNR voted to adopt the Hearing Officer's findings of fact, conclusions of law and decision and order.

(HILO) – Earlier this week, four Hawai‘i County men received cease and desist orders from DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) officers for lava rock removal. The men all admitted their roles in the unlawful removal of tons of lava rock from the Mauna Loa Forest Reserve.

(HILO) – Tahitian prawns, caught in Hawai‘i streams, are a popular treat at graduation and other spring-time parties and get-togethers.  The DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) is encouraging people to know the source of their prawns. Evidence has suggested that poisons used to kill garden and household pests has been used not only to kill prawns, but is wiping out all of the aquatic wildlife in some east Hawai‘i streams.

LIHU‘E, KAUA‘I -- Polihale State Park on Kaua‘i will reopen to the public on Tuesday May 15, following repairs to the heavily flood-damaged entry road.  The initial repairs, consisting of filling and grading the most damaged section of the unpaved 5-mile roadway and making drainage improvements, will allow for hardy vehicles to access the beach and camping areas within the popular West Kaua‘i park.  A second phase of road repair will be ongoing for approximately two weeks after the reopening, and park visitors may experience some delays due to the construction. 

HONOLULU -- The Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) approved a settlement today between the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) and Stephen E.J. Koehne regarding illegal commercial operation in Hanalei Bay ocean waters on Kaua‘i.

(HONOLULU) – A rapid response team of experts from state and federal agencies and non-government organizations formed over the last week to investigate the deaths of several ʻōhiʻa trees in the Moloa‘a Forest Reserve on Kaua‘i’s northeastern side.

(LIHUE) – Officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement  (DOCARE) arrested 32-year-old Bronson Nakaahiki of Kekaha, Kaua‘i today after witnesses reported seeing him allegedly slice a threatened Green sea turtle’s throat and then harvest meat from it on Kekaha Beach.

HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and the City and County of Honolulu invite NFIP insured renters, home and business owners affected by the April 13 flooding event on O‘ahu, to attend an informational session conducted by a NFIP General Adjuster:

Effective immediately, the DLNR Division of State Parks has closed its Lava Tree State Monument and Mackenzie State Recreation Area until further notice.  Gates to these parks will be locked and closure signs posted. This action was taken after consultation with Hawaii County Emergency  and Parks and Recreation which recommended the closures due to earthquake activity in the Puna area.

(HILO) – Officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) are seeking information about the person or persons who butchered a 250-pound green sea turtle at Onekahakaha County Beach Park in South Hilo. A DOCARE officer estimates the turtle’s shell as at least 80 centimeters in size. Officers report that the turtle’s front two flippers were amputated and it appeared the suspect(s) was interrupted and left the scene without the turtle.