Department of Land and Natural Resources

HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) announced today that retired Hawaii island circuit court judge Riki May Amano (Ret.) has been selected as the hearings officer to conduct the Mauna Kea contested case hearing relating to the application for the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope. DLNR Chairperson Suzanne Case issued a minute order to the contested case parties today announcing Judge Amano’s selection.

(LIHUE, KAUAI) - Captive-reared puaiohi flew into the forests of Kaua‘i today, marking the end of a successful breeding program for the species and beginning the next step in its recovery. Conservation biologists from the Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project (KFBRP), State of Hawai’i's Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DLNR-DOFAW), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office (USFWS-PIFWO) and San Diego Zoo Global’s Hawaiian Endangered Bird Conservation Program (HEBCP) worked together to bring the group of birds to the forest for release.

HONOLULU --- Enforcement officers of the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) today towed a piece of sperm whale remnant several miles out to sea before releasing it for currents to take it away from the islands. Earlier this morning, the remnant weighing several tons was found about 200 yards offshore from Kalanianaole Beach Park (formerly Nanakuli Beach Park). At least one shark was seen feeding on the remains throughout the morning.

HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources has posted shark warning signs this afternoon on the west Maui coastline from Lone Pine (milepost 13 on Honoapi‘ilani Highway) to the Olowalu Recycling Center, following a report received just before 2 p.m. today that 46-year old female visitor was bitten on the fin by a shark. The woman was snorkeling in the late morning with a tour group a half-mile off Olowalu. She was in 18 feet of murky water when she felt a tug on her fin, and looked back to see a gray-colored shark swimming away. She was treated on the boat for a minor injury to her foot.

NANAKULI, O‘AHU --- Following the arrival on shore this afternoon about 2 p.m. of a 25’ section of decomposed sperm whale at Nanakuli Beach Park, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is currently looking at extraction options to remove the carcass.

(HONOLULU) – One week after the 2,500 acre Nānākuli wildfire started, Susan Ching of the Plant Extinction Prevention Program and Marigold Zoll of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife venture deep into the burned area. They’re expecting the worst as they trudge across the now desolate landscape and toward the last nāʻū or Gardenia brighamii, growing in the wild on O‘ahu. Forest managers, conservationists, and cultural practitioners feared it had been killed by the intense heat and flames.

WAIMANALO -- Department of Land and Natural Resources Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) officers cited a man today for violations relating to his use of a gill net in waters offshore of Kaiona Beach Park. Officers responded to reports that a gill net had been laid in the water, and contacted a male, John Edwards, 39. Through investigation, the officers learned that Edwards had laid a gill net overnight, and had retrieved it just prior to the officers' arrival. The investigation also revealed that the net used was not registered and tagged as required by law.

HILO -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources yesterday reopened the Muliwai hiking trail on the far cliff side of Waipio Valley and its campground in the next valley, Waimanu, following the reopening of the Waipio valley access road yesterday by Hawaii County officials.

HONOLULU - The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) has received grant funding to pilot an innovative Resources Enforcement Educating Fishers (REEF) project, starting this spring. The funding is provided by the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation.

WAHIAWA, OAHU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of State Parks is making multiple improvements from March through November at the Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area, on Walker Ave. Work will include the repair, repaving and striping of the park entry, roadways and parking areas; replacement of connecting sidewalks; renovations to the comfort station including a new foot rinsing area. The day use pathway will be replaced with a new concrete pathway; new and replacement picnic tables; and the construction of a new accessible picnic table and pathway in the upper parking area. Work is expected to be completed by December 1, 2016 or sooner as conditions allow.