#DOCARE
Investigation continues of 2 nēnē killed by a car in Waikōloa, but state says feral cat feeding is main issue
The Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources said recent counts found about 70 of the Native Hawaiian goose eating cat food left on the lava rocks near busy Queens Marketplace.
Update: Investigation into rock thrown at monk seal and breaches of seal resting areas
The Department of Land and Natural Resources is investigating social media postings on Instagram that appear to show an adult male throwing an object toward a monk seal while it was swimming in the water off the Lahaina shoreline.
All state parks and forest areas closed due to severe weather
The Hawai‘i State Department of Land and Natural Resources closed all state parks and forest areas to the public as of 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, due to the expected continuance of severe weather conditions across the state.
Response underway to remove grounded boat from Kīhei shoreline
Owners of a grounded vessel are hoping to get the boat removed from the Kīhei shoreline today. The vessel, Na Nahiku, ran aground on the shore fronting 131 S. Kīhei Road fronting the Kīhei Youth Center on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026.
Recruitment for state conservation officers starts in January
Vacancies for these officer positions are located across the state.
DLNR patrols Kāne‘ohe Bay to deter illegal Christmas tree bonfires on New Year’s Day
Officers with the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) will again conduct patrols over the New Year’s holiday to enforce laws and protect the environment, including the sacred Ahu o Laka (Kāne‘ohe Bay sandbar).
Recruitment for state conservation officers begins Jan. 3
Recruitment for 53 entry-level officers with DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement opens Jan. 3, 2026. Vacancies for officer positions are located across the state.
Coordinated hunt removes 22 feral animals in Kalalau Valley on Kauaʻi
A successful coordinated animal control operation in Kalalau Valley earlier this month has removed 10 pigs and 12 goats from the rugged, heavily impacted area. The hunt was conducted Sept. 9–10 by a team of permitted hunters working with staff from DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement and the Division of State Parks.
Death of monk seal underscores importance of responsible fishing practices
The recent death of RS34, a two-year-old female Hawaiian monk seal known as Moana, was the result of paddle-out or drone-out fishing using a “jug rig” variant, according to wildlife officials.
DOCARE marine patrols now on all islands, July 1, 2025
Marine patrol units of the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement are now active on O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Island, Maui and Kaua‘i.
Incidents on Hawai‘i Island shed light on Hawaiian Hawk abuse
A Hawaiian hawk on Hawaiʻi Island suffered injuries alleged to be human-caused and was euthanized last month.
Longline fishing vessel seized after alleged operations in Hawaiʻi State Territorial Sea
It is illegal to longline fish in state waters within the state Territorial Sea, which extends from the high-water mark to 12 nautical miles from shore.
Peak pupping season underway for endangered Hawaiian monk seals
Thirty-four Hawaiian monk seal pups were born in the main Hawaiian Islands in 2024, and three pups have already been born this year. Officials say the public should give mothers with pups at least 150 feet of space on land and in the water—moms can be protective if they think you’re too close.
Two people cited and one arrested on ʻopihi violations
The pair was found to be in possession of 144 undersized ‘opihi and were issued citations for violating Hawai‘i Administrative Rules (HAR) Section 13-92-1(a)(1) OPIHI. Also, on Saturday, DOCARE officers then approached a separate individual picking ‘opihi along the Ali‘i Drive shoreline and inspected his catch. The 60-year-old man of Kailua-Kona was cited after being observed in possession of 156 undersized ‘opihi.
25 new state conservation officers commissioned, including seven assigned to Maui Nui
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.
Maui fishers hope new proposal will ensure there’s enough catch to go around
A team of fishers and marine resource advocates are working to overhaul reef fishing rules — but they say it needs to come with tougher penalties.
Entire Kalalau Trail now closed due to norovirus; DOH recommends closure until at least Sept. 19
DOH has received reports of illness from at least 37 people who were hiking the Kalalau Trail and camping at a state campsite at Kalalau beach, though the actual number of affected people is estimated to be higher
Maui wildfires one year later: State conservation officers reflect on their roles the night of the Lahaina fires
“We got a request for help late on the night of Aug. 8, 2023, and we deployed a boat and three personal watercraft from the Māʻalaea Small Boat Harbor. Normally the 13-mile trip takes a half hour. With hurricane force winds in our face and very rough sea conditions it took us more than an hour to get to Lahaina,” said DOCARE Lt. Jeff Kinores.
Man arrested on weapons and other charges at Kaʻae Road in Wailuku, Maui
A Kahului man was arrested on weapons and other charges following routine beat checks by officers with the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement at Kaʻae Road in Wailuku on Wednesday morning.
Two Maui men arrested on suspicion of night hunting on Thompson Road, which runs through Oprah’s private ranch
Officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) stopped two men after observing them allegedly using a spotlight for hunting purposes on Thompson Road, a public road that runs through private property owned by the Oprah Winfrey Ranch.
