200 lbs of Āholehole Caught in Illegal Lay Net, Repeat Offender Cited

January 6, 2019, 10:42 AM HST
* Updated January 6, 2:08 PM

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Officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement recovered more than 200 pounds of āholehole (Hawaiian flagtail) and detained two individuals who were allegedly observed tending to an illegal net in windward O‘ahu on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019.

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DOCARE officers were on routine patrol when they observed the alleged violation in progress at Kawa Stream, just makai of the Kahana Bridge.

DLNR officials have since identified the men as Orlando Maiava, 45, of Hau‘ula and Clayton Espanto, 45, of Kailua. According to department reports, Maiava was also cited on March 31, 2018 by DOCARE officers in the same area for lay net and throw net violations.

In the latest incident, DLNR officials say the āholehole were entangled in an unregistered, multi-panel lay net that had no surface buoys and brought to shore by the two men in a restricted area (in a freshwater stream or at a stream mouth).

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Maiava and Espanto were issued criminal citations for violating Hawai‘i Administrative Rules. Court appearances for both men are pending in Kaneʻohe District Court.

All of the equipment the men were using was confiscated and the āholehole were turned over to the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources.