Department of Land and Natural Resources

HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) will permanently close its office in the Melim Building at 333 Queen Street at the end of the business day on February 5, 2016 and remain closed for one week in order to move into a new building that has been completed on the grounds of Ke`ehi Small Boat Harbor.

(Kailua-Kona) Interested people are invited to review and discuss the preliminary alternatives for the management and development of Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park on Hawaii Island at a meeting on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at Konawaena Elementary School. The findings of studies conducted for the planning will be shared, along with the alternatives that address public use, management of important resources, and proposed facilities. Kealakekua is one of the most culturally and historically significant places in Hawaii and the goal of this park planning is to balance the preservation of the cultural values and historical sites with the recreational use of the park, especially the very popular Kealakekua Bay.

HILO -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources has closed the Muliwai hiking trail on the far cliff side of Waipio Valley and its Waimanu Valley campground, following the closure of Waipio valley access road on Wednesday to residents only by Hawaii County officials following confirmation of two cases of dengue in Waipio residents. Muliwai trail and Waimanu Valley can only be accessed via Waipio valley. Campers with existing permits will be contacted by DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife. No new permits will be issued until further notice.

HONOLULU -- Portions of the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Haleiwa small boat harbor are being used as an emergency command center authorized by the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, and set up by the Honolulu Police Department during multi-agency rescue efforts today for the missing crews of two Marine Corps helicopters which collided last night off Haleiwa. Officers from DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement are assisting by checking the shoreline from Waialua to Kaena Point for any debris.

The DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) will cooperate with the Hawaii Police Department criminal investigation.

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.