#Department of Land and Natural Resources
Public hearing set for Kula Forest management plan
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has scheduled a public hearing next week to solicit feedback on a comprehensive plan to manage the 3,434-acre Kamehamenui Forest Reserve in Kula.
Urban Design Review Board set to review Kahului Civic Center project Oct. 7
The Maui County Urban Design Review Board is scheduled Oct. 7 to review design plans for the proposed Kahului Civic Center mixed-use complex, a project that pairs more than 300 affordable rental apartments with a civic center featuring a wave-inspired roof design.
State proposes management plan for Kamehamenui Forest Reserve in Kula
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has released a draft environmental assessment for the proposed Kamehamenui Forest Reserve Management Plan, covering 3,434 acres of state-owned land in Kula.
$30K settlement reached for boat grounding at Maui’s Honolua-Mokulē‘ia Bay
The Hawai‘i Board of Land and Natural Resources on Friday unanimously approved a proposed $30,448.67 settlement agreement with Kapalua Kai Sailing, Inc., for the grounding of its vessel, Hula Girl, inside Maui’s Honolua-Mokulē‘ia Bay Marine Life Conservation District, on Jan. 31, 2025.
Senate WAM Committee gains fire management insights during visit to Maui
Members were walked through the DOFAW’s Kahului Baseyard, where DLNR is leading current fire management efforts.
Army open to new land lease framework; Green insists on ‘Fair Deal’ for Hawaiʻi
Gov. Josh Green announced that his office has received a letter from the US Secretary of the Army, Dan P. Driscoll, signaling a commitment to a new framework for military land leases in Hawaiʻi. The leases involve thousands of acres of land on Oʻahu, and the potential terms could impact housing, environmental cleanup and Native […]
Hawaiian green sea turtle nesting season underway: How to kōkua
Sea turtle nesting season in Hawaiʻi is in full swing, with peak months running through November. This is a critical time for the Hawaiian green sea turtles, or honu, a species that has seen a steady increase in nesting activity across the islands since 2020. This positive trend brings a shared responsibility for all of […]
Where it’s at? The Hawaiian hoary bat, ʻōpeʻapeʻa
Wildlife biologists are asking residents to keep a lookout for ʻōpeʻapeʻa, the Hawaiian hoary bat, an endangered species and Hawaiʻi’s official state land mammal, the only land mammal native to the islands. Scientists want to know where it hangs out. Residents can help provide information about ʻōpeʻapeʻa habitat by reporting bat sightings online through iNaturalist, an online platform for […]
Enforcement increasing at Sacred Falls State Park on the North Shore of Oʻahu
Despite clearly posted park closure and hazardous conditions signs, people are continuing to ignore the risks and enter Sacred Falls State Park, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources reports.
Showcasing 300 job openings: State to host rapid-hiring recruitment on Maui, July 10
The State of Hawaiʻi Department of Human Resources Development will deliver job opportunities through direct recruitment on Maui. The Maui State Office Building in Wailuku will host a special recruitment event on Thursday, July 10, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Fully funded Olowalu fire station on hold over ‘iwi kupuna discovered 2 years ago in subdivision
The West Maui Improvement Foundation started advocating for a fire station in Olowalu after the 2018 Lahaina fire destroyed 21 houses in the area.
West Maui watershed restoration engages Native Hawaiian students
The forests stretching from Honokōwai all the way up to Honokōhau, and the watersheds they protect, have been managed for nearly two decades from the top of the mountains to the ocean. “You can’t just manage one part of it. You have to manage the whole, from the peak all the way to the ocean. They’re […]
Public input sought to shape 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan
As Hawaiʻi faces growing threats to its unique native wildlife and habitats, state officials are asking the public to determine conservation priorities in the next decade. The Department of Land and Natural Resources is inviting the public to participate in a review of the 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan, known by the acronym SWAP. Updated every […]
Wildfire safety legislation moves ahead in the Senate
The Senate Judiciary and Ways and Means committees have recommended passage of a House bill that would put into state law fire safety recommendations arising from a Hawaiʻi Attorney General investigation of the August 2023 Maui wildfire disaster. The bill has passed second reading and moves on to third reading in the Senate. House Bill […]
Vegetation removal bill cut back after concerns raised about letting utilities off the hook
Two state House committees have decided to defer action on a Senate bill that would, among other things, require private and public property owners to trim grass within certain proximities of public rights of way and utility lines.
Legislation would redefine what’s a ‘historic’ building in Hawaiʻi
A bill that would change rules for assessing “historic” buildings in Hawaiʻi has crossed over from the Senate and is being considered by the state House of Representatives. Senate Bill 15 Senate Draft 1 would amend the definition of “historic property” by requiring that a property meets the criteria for inclusion in the Hawai‘i Register […]
House panel calls for fix of disrepairs at state parks and small boat harbors
The House Committee on Water & Land recommended favorable action Thursday on a bill to give the state Department of Land and Natural Resources more flexibility in responding to repairs and maintenance in state small boat harbors and parks.
SSFM International welcomes Morris Atta as Senior Project Manager
SSFM International announced Morris M. Atta, Esq., JD has joined the firm as a Senior Project Manager, effective February 2025. Atta has an extensive background in public administration, land management and infrastructure planning.
Kamaʻāina artists selected for climate change action residency
Four artists have been selected as the state of Hawaiʻiʻs Climate Artists in Residence, the Department of Land and Natural Resources announced Tuesday.
House Finance Committee approves its draft of the state’s fiscal 2025-26, ’26-27 budgets
Maui County highlights in the House Finance Committee draft budgets for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 include $1.6 million in both fiscal years for Kamehameha III temporary school in Lahaina and $12 million in fiscal 2026 and $6 million in fiscal 2027 for Maui Health System.
