Department of Land and Natural Resources

LIHUE -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) has noticed a significant increase in illegal vending on state land throughout Kauai County and reminds the public that violations are punishable by a fine and/or jail time. Officers have generally observed illegal venders engaged in commercial activities, selling craft items and other merchandise to members of the public. DOCARE has specifically issued citations at Opaekaa Falls and Wailua Falls, both areas under the jurisdiction of Division of State Parks.

HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) invites the public to attend the third annual New Year’s Day hike on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014, along the scenic Makapuu lighthouse trail at the Ka Iwi State Scenic Shoreline, located in East Oahu.

HONOLULU – The nominating committee for the state Commission on Water Resource Management (Water Commission) is now accepting applications for one position on the commission, starting July 1, 2014. The nominating committee will review the applications and send the names of not less than three qualified individuals to the Governor, who will nominate one person for the vacant position. Appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

HONOLULU -- The Hawaii Heritage Center, in cooperation with the State Historic Preservation Division within the Department of Land and Natural Resources, has been producing an historic sites calendar since 1984. Their 2014 calendar, titled the “Working Hands of the Makaainana,” addresses the theme of Hawaiian technology and innovation. The beautiful calendar was designed by Viki Nasu Design Group, with Ric Noyle providing magnificent photographs of island scenes rarely viewed by much of the public.

KAILUA-KONA – The Department of Land and Natural Resources is reminding the public that West Hawaii state parks will close early at 5 p.m. Dec. 31, 2013, New Year’s Eve. Parks closing early include Hapuna, Kiholo and Kekaha Kai (Mahaiula and Kua Bay sections).

HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is asking the public to comply with state and federal “no feeding, no approach” rules to protect a Hawaiian monk seal pup that has recently been seen in harbors along Oahu’s south shore.   This 8-month-old seal with red flipper tags N36/N37 was born in May 2013 on the reef runway beach outside of Keehi lagoon. Also known as “U`ilani” (which means royal beauty in Hawaiian), it has recently been seen in Keehi, Kewalo, and Ala Wai small boat harbors interacting with boat owners and resting under the docks. She may also have been seen in Honolulu harbor.

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES News Release NEIL ABERCROMBIE GOVERNOR WILLIAM J. AILA JR, CHAIRPERSON For Immediate News Release December 20, 2013 THREE WEST HAWAII STATE PARKS CLOSED TODAY ...
Read More 12/20/13 – Three West Hawaii State Parks Closed Today Due To High Surf

HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) announces the opening of the Waikiki-Diamond Head Shoreline Fisheries Management Area, O‘ahu, to fishing for one year beginning Jan. 1, 2014, and ending Dec.31, 2014. The Fisheries Management Area encompasses the nearshore waters between the ‘Ewa wall of the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium and the Diamond Head Lighthouse, from the high-water mark on shore to a minimum seaward distance of 500 yards, or to the edge of the fringing reef if one occurs beyond 500 yards.

‘LIHU'E -- A new study by the Kaua‘i Endangered Seabird Recovery Project (KESRP) and US Geological Survey (USGS), has recently discovered that Hawaiian Petrels nesting on Kaua‘i travel thousands of kilometers to feed their chicks. Researchers found that breeding petrels on Kaua‘i undertake epic, multi-week journeys from their tropical montane nesting sites to a large area of ocean south of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands.

LIHU‘E – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is issuing a reminder to pet owners to keep all dogs on leash, after three Laysan Albatross (or Moli) were killed on the North shore of Kaua‘i this weekend in the latest incident where albatross have been slaughtered by loose dogs. The dead albatross, which have only just started returning to Kaua‘i after many months out at sea, were found by tourists walking near Moloa‘a Bay.