Department of Land and Natural Resources

(HONOLULU) – It’s no mystery that Jason Momoa, best known for his role as Aquaman in the Hollywood hit of the same name, has a deep love for Hawai‘i. The 42-year-old Honolulu-born actor returned to the islands recently to film the sequel to Aquaman, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, due out in December. 

(HONOLULU) – For the first time in several years, the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) did not receive any reports of illegal Christmas tree bonfires at Ahu o Laka (Kāne'ohe Bay sandbar). 

(HONOLULU) – Friday, after members of the State Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) received a four-hour long briefing on the Red Hill water emergency and another three-and-a-half hours of public testimony and Commission discussion, with over 160 written and oral testimonies, the Commission approved the following policy positions on the matter: 

(Kapolei) - Every five years the state updates the Statewide Historic Preservation Plan, which provides focus of efforts to preserve, protect, and manage places important to Hawai`i’s history and culture.  

(HONOLULU) – Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, it will be illegal to knowingly capture, entangle, or kill any species of shark in State marine waters. Act 51 (House Bill 533) passed in the last legislative session. 

(Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve) – The individual who posted a video of a large rock being throwing into Lake Waiau has contacted the DLNR and apologized for her actions. Earlier this month, she posted the video on her social media platforms and then removed it after learning of the disrespect it caused. 

(Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve) – While it appears she has removed her social media postings, one woman got the attention of conservation managers and law enforcement, after posting photos of large rocks being thrown into Lake Waiau. 

(HONOLULU) – The DLNR is taking a pro-active approach toward the illegal burning of Christmas trees at Ahu O Laka (Kāne’ohe Bay sandbar). This activity is a violation of State Administrative Rules (HAR). In recent years, photographs on social media sites have shown large numbers of people congregating as tree-fueled fires burn in the background. These tree-burnings are also destructive to both ocean and terrestrial natural resources.

(Kailua-Kona) –On Friday, December 31, 2021, the DLNR Division of State Parks will be closing Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area, Kīholo State Park Reserve and Kekaha Kai State Park (Mahai’ula and Kua Bay sections) early at 5 p.m.  Closing of the parks early is to discourage fireworks. All fireworks are prohibited in state parks to protect the natural resources of the area. 

(HONOLULU) – A monk seal, known as L11, died of an intentional gunshot wound to the head on Moloka‘i on Sept. 19th. A postmortem analysis determined that the young female suffered severe, lethal trauma from a bullet fragment. Further testing by NOAA to determine whether the seal had any diseases is underway but is not expected to change the conclusion of the postmortem examination.