#DLNR

A highly venomous yellow-bellied sea snake was found washed up on the shore at Honoliʻi Beach in Hilo last week. While these sea snakes are rarely seen onshore in Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture’s Plant Quarantine Branch strongly advises beach and ocean goers not to touch the venomous sea snakes which are often mistaken for eels. A sea snake is easily distinguished by the bright yellow markings on its underside.

Volunteers gather at sunset every Thursday to search for invasive coqui frogs in Waimānalo on Oʻahu. The frogs, known for their loud chirp, are a major forest and agricultural pest.

Hawai‘i is joining other ocean states and now requires a license for recreational ocean fishing for non-Hawai‘i residents. Revenues from license sales will be used exclusively to support fishing in the state.

The least-virulent strain of the fungal infection known as Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) was detected late last month in three landscape ʻōhiʻa trees on the campus of a Maui elementary school.

DOBOR and DAR have approved the owner’s salvage plan, which aims for a Feb. 12-17 removal timeframe. However, the owner is having difficulty in identifying and hiring a salvage company to remove the vessel because a number of companies have already indicated they are not available or are not willing to take on the project.

At a signing ceremony Friday, Gov. Josh Green, M.D., proclaimed 2025 as the “Year of Our Community Forests.”

Commercial operators at Kā‘anapali Beach say the court order could force them to shut down if their permits are not renewed this year, jeopardizing jobs of people impacted by the August 2023 wildfires. 

The local fishing community is encouraged to help shape the future of nearshore fishing in Hawaiʻi, by engaging with the Reef Habitat Plan, a statewide initiative to improve nearshore fish habitat in areas of need.

Twenty-five recruits are now fully commissioned conservation officers with the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement. Hawai‘i Island, Maui Nui, and O‘ahu will all have seven additional DOCARE officers, while Kaua‘i will have four.

The 32nd annual Turkey & Rice Giveaway took place this past weekend in Lānaʻi City. Hosted by the Coon ‘Ohana of Trilogy Excursions, this tradition celebrates the season of gratitude, giving, and community connection.

Human interactions with a recently entangled monk seal pup on Hawaiʻi Island has prompted outreach to fishers and boaters. The five-month-old female Hawaiian monk seal, named Keaka (tag number T64/T65), has been a frequent visitor to Honokōhau Small Boat Harbor in recent days.

Keiki, teens and young adults are encouraged to attend the Youth Climate Summit on Saturday at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol. Students will engage with policymakers, community and government organizations, as well as other youth leaders to promote climate policy action in Hawaiʻi.

Maui Mayor Richard T. Bissen, Jr. wrote a letter to Board of Land and Natural Resources Chair Dawn Chang, urging her to hold off on holding a contested case hearing on the disposition of an East Maui Water License, scheduled for Friday, Nov. 8. Bissen said talks have already begun between the parties and he wants both sides to have the full opportunity to resolve the issue amicably.

The community meeting to gather feedback on a new proposed site to rebuild King Kamehameha III Elementary School has been rescheduled to Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 5 p.m.

Two upcoming improvement projects on Maui will cause temporary closures to state lands under the care of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife.

Eligible private landowners and lessees of Maui Nui have the opportunity to participate in targeted axis deer control through the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife Landowner Incentive Program. The goal of this program is to incentivize Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi landowners to decrease the number of axis deer from the landscape. The deadline to submit proposals is Nov. 25, 2024 at 4 p.m.

The “ʻIke Kaiāulu,” or “Community Knowledge,” series—produced by the DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife and Division of Aquatic Resources—aims to tap into the rich history of mālama ʻāina (caring for the land) and kai (the ocean).

Governor Josh Green, M.D., has proclaimed the week of Oct. 6-12, 2024 as “Fire Prevention Week” in the state of Hawai‘i. This year’s theme is “Smoke Alarms: Make them work for you!”

Debris from temporary shoreline hardening measures like sandbag seawalls currently litter the beach. One home along that stretch partially collapsed onto the beach and is actively being demolished, while a second is scheduled to be demolished soon. DLNR is concerned with the unpredictable situation, as more of the coastal dune beneath the residences is undermined. This will potentially place other neighboring homes in a similar predicament, according to department officials.

Since hosting community feedback sessions over the summer, the Hawai‘i State Department of Education continues to explore options for a permanent location to rebuild the fire-damaged King Kamehameha III Elementary School. A decision to move forward has not been made at this time. The original three sites being considered each presented challenges, and community feedback on the site that appeared most promising showed it was least preferred by stakeholders.