News Releases

MAKENA -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is closing the nearshore waters of Makena State Park today, as of 12 noon, due to a report of a large shark exhibiting aggressive behavior which chased two spear fishermen out of the water. The area closed is from Ahihi Bay to Makena Landing, a mile in either direction from the location of the report.

HONOLULU -- A Waipahu fisherman was charged and sentenced at Waianae District Court on Nov. 25, 2013, for violating Hawaii Administrative Rule (H.A.R.) 13-95-22(a) that prohibits the take or possession of any ulua less than 10 inches in length. Lionel Tunac, 52, pled guilty to the charge and was fined $250. This violation is a petty misdemeanor, punishable with a fine of up to $1,000 and/or 30 days in jail.

"We are not sure why these bites are occurring more frequently than normal, especially around Maui. That’s why we are conducting a two-year study of shark behavior around Maui that may give us better insights,” said William J. Aila, Jr., DLNR Chairperson. “It is our hope and expectation that numbers of incidents will return to a more normal range in the near future.”

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES News Release NEIL ABERCROMBIE GOVERNOR WILLIAM J. AILA JR, CHAIRPERSON For Immediate News Release November 27, 2013 BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS AT KURE ATOLL STATE WILDLIFE ...
Read More 11/27/13 – Black-Footed Albatross At Kure Atoll State Wildlife Refuge Named In Honor Of Japanese Student Who Sent A Message In A Bottle 7 Years Ago

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES News Release NEIL ABERCROMBIE GOVERNOR WILLIAM J. AILA JR, CHAIRPERSON For Immediate News Release November 27, 2013 STATE CRITICAL OF TV PROGRAM MISREPRESENTING HUNTING ...
Read More 11/27/13 – State Critical Of TV Program Misrepresenting Hunting In Hawaii – Investigation launched into possible law violations while filming

HONOLULU — The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) reminds the fishing public that the season for ‘ama‘ama (striped mullet) will be closed from Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, through Monday, March 31, 2014.

NOTICE: The DAR office will be CLOSED on December 3-5, 2013 Fishing licenses will not be issued during this time. To report resource violations please call (808) 643-3567 To report ...
Read More NOTICE: The DAR office will be CLOSED on December 3-5, 2013

Waimanu trail closed, camping permits canceled due to Big Island flash flood watch tonight through Thursday HILO — The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), in cooperation with Hawaii ...
Read More 11/12/13 – DLNR – Waimanu trail closed, camping permits canceled due to Big Island flash flood watch tonight through Thursday

HONOLULU -- A Honolulu fisherman pled guilty on November 8, 2013 to an illegal throw net fishing violation in Honolulu District Court and was sentenced to a $750 fine.

Kevin R. De Canto, age 50, was cited by a Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) officer on Oct. 16, 2013 on the shoreline fronting 2255 Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki, for violating Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) 13-75-10(a) regarding use of throw nets.

“We plan to keep this heavily used ramp open during the holiday season, to accommodate local fishers, who want to launch into the waters off western Maui when there’s an increase in demand for access and certain fish stocks,” said William J. Aila, DLNR chairperson. “We have assurances from our Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation that it is physically possible for the ramp and existing piers to remain open and usable until the repair project start date.”