Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES News Release DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON For Immediate News Release September 28, 2017 BOARD OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES APPROVES ...
Read More 09/28/17 – Board of Land and Natural Resources Approves TMT Permit

Firefighters from the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) remain on the scene of an approximately 100 acre wildland fire burning on Makana puʿu between Hāʿena State Park and Limahuli Gardens on Kaua‘i’s north shore. The fire, first reported early Tuesday morning, is burning mostly along steep cliffs, making ground approaches for firefighters difficult, but 14 DOFAW firefighters are working hot spots. They’re being supported by two engines and three DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources (DOCARE) officers who are keeping people out of the area. Two helicopters, including the Kaua‘i Fire Department’s Air One, continue making water drops this morning.

Six young ‘Alalā—critically endangered Hawaiian crows—were released into Pu‘u Maka‘ala Natural Area Reserve on the Island of Hawai‘i, today. The first group of birds: two females and four males took some time to emerge from the aviary where they had been temporarily housed and they appeared to show a natural curiosity for their surroundings. Plans are to release a second group of five birds: two females and three males in mid-October from the same release aviary

A wildland fire burning adjacent to Ha‘ena State Park on Kaua‘i’s north shore has closed the park and the popular Kalalau Trail in the Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) will close the Kula Forest Reserve, Waipoli Access Road, Kahikinui Forest Reserve – Papa‘anui Tract, and Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area for two weeks from Monday, October 2, 2017, through Friday, October 13, 2017, to allow for scheduled road repairs, trails repairs, road safety improvements, and fuel reduction work.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) is pleased to announce that application forms for the 2018 Lana‘i Axis deer hunting season, together with instruction sheets, will be available at all DOFAW offices statewide beginning Monday October 2, 2017. Applicants may apply online.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) has scheduled statewide public hearings on proposed administrative rule amendments that would increase the annual commercial marine license fees from the current $50/year to $100/year initially, then to $150/year on January 1, 2018. This date may be delayed until later in the year, depending on when the rules are approved. The proposed rules also would establish a reporting deadline for dealers who buy marine life directly from commercial fishers.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold a public information meeting to explain to Maui boaters and community the project scope and planned fall schedule for maintenance dredging at Lahaina Harbor and Mala Boat Ramp. DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation staff will accept input/comments on current shoaling conditions, and answer questions. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 25, 2017 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the West Maui Senior Center, 788 Pauoa St. in Lahaina.

The popular Makapu‘u Lighthouse road/trail and parking lot in the Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline, will be closed for one day, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017, while the DLNR Division of State Parks’ contractor stripes the parking stalls. This step will complete the maintenance work in the parking lot. The trail will reopen the next day.

The final stage of work to remove rockfall hazards along the exterior and interior slopes of the iconic Diamond Head State Monument will begin September 18, 2017. This phase will focus on the summit hiking trail, and is expected to be completed by early December 2017