Department of Land and Natural Resources

HILO -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold public meetings this month in Hilo to provide information on studies it has commissioned to assist with the Department’s planning for the future of these areas as current leases expire.

HONOLULU – The start of a new year also marks the beginning of the annual Hawai‘i Big Tree Competition. Sponsored by the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife and American Forests, the Big Tree program focuses attention on the largest trees of particular native species, as a way to raise awareness about the importance of healthy trees and forests.

(HONOLULU) – Following on the heels of a 120-day emergency rule, which had temporarily banned all harvesting of sea cucumbers in Hawaii, today Governor David Ige signed a measure which severely limits collection of sea cucumbers. Governor Ige stated, “The DLNR worked quickly to stop the mass harvesting of sea cucumbers, and then to develop and propose permanent rules. This action is expected to protect and sustain critically important sea cucumber populations in our near-shore waters.”

HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) has tallied community votes for the representatives who will serve on the Maunalua Bay Recreation Advisory Committee. DOBOR is establishing a community advisory committee for Maunalua Bay ocean users as a forum to provide input on the regulation and management of recreation activities in the bay.

HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is investigating the deaths of three Laysan albatross and numerous destroyed nests in the Ka‘ena Point Natural Area Reserve. Thanks to a report made by a concerned citizen on Monday, an officer from DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, accompanied by the natural area reserve manager, a natural area reserve specialist and a seabird biologist, conducted a site visit yesterday.

HILO — The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) announces the opening of bird hunting in the Kahua/Ponoholo Ranch Cooperative Game Management Area. Game bird hunting in this area will be open on Saturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays, beginning on Saturday, January 2, 2016 through January 31, 2016. Hunters must check in at the Von Holt Memorial Hunter check station.

KAILUA-KONA – The Department of Land and Natural Resources is reminding the public that West Hawai‘i state parks will close early at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015, New Year’s Eve. Parks closing early include Hapuna, Kiholo and Kekaha Kai (Mahaiula and Kua Bay sections).

(HILO) - For the safety of everyone, due to the dengue fever outbreak at Milolii, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has closed to the public all State unencumbered lands in the immediate vicinity of Milolii village and Honomalino Bay. These include the parcels designated by Tax Map Key numbers: (3) 8-9-003:001 and (3) 8-9-004:007.

(HONOLULU) - Thomas “Tommy” Friel, a conservation law enforcement officer for nearly three decades, has been named the new Chief of the DLNR Division of Conservation Resources (DOCARE), effective Monday, December 28, 2015.

(HONOLULU) – Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death, is a mysterious disease that has already killed hundreds of thousands of Hawaii’s iconic and native ‘Ōhi‘a, the backbone of Hawaii’s native forests and watersheds.