#Dawn CHang

Ryan Kanaka‘ole will lead the Department of Land and Natural Resources as acting chair while Chair Dawn Chang is on medical leave, Gov. Josh Green announced Monday. The designation is effective immediately. Kanaka‘ole serves as the department’s deputy director. “Jaime and I send our heartfelt aloha to Dawn and her ʻohana as she recovers,” Green […]

After several hours of receiving public comments, the Board of Land and Natural Resources voted Friday, Nov. 14, to defer for six months its decision-making on a DLNR Land Division recommendation to hold a contested case hearing over the proposed disposition of a water license by public auction, or by a set aside via a governor’s executive order to the County of Maui, for the diversion of public surface water from the Koʻolau Forest Reserve.

The water commission has yet to approve any of the more than 140 permit applications for water use in West Maui that were filed two years ago shortly before the Lahaina fire.

The environmental law firm claims the golf courses unlawfully used millions of gallons of potable water to irrigate their greens, and that the state water commission chair knew about it.

Alarmed about a severe and protracted drought, state and Maui County water officials are reporting historic low flows in East Maui streams and weighing their options to maintain water supply to residents and farmers. The dry weather impacts are being felt in a region popular among visitors for its Road to Hāna, which traverses Maui’s normally lush landscape, a […]

Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc. has filed a countersuit against Kapalua Golf Courses and Luxury Homes alleging “misinformation” on water use and drought conditions. MLP says TY Management, owner of the Kapalua golf courses chose “false claims,” and says the countersuit was filed in an effort to “set the record straight.”

The state Commission on Water Resource Management heard testimony Tuesday from West Maui residents frustrated with the commission’s “inaction” in managing delivery of water to residents and farmers in a region beset by a severe drought. The dry conditions underpinned Tuesday’s announcement by the PGA Tour that it would not hold its annual The Sentry […]

Members were walked through the DOFAW’s Kahului Baseyard, where DLNR is leading current fire management efforts.

Newly formed lands from the 2018 Kīlauea volcano lava flows, known as lava deltas, are creating a potential hazard for Hawaiʻi Island residents and visitors. The recent discovery of a large crack in a lava delta at Kapoho, in the Puna district, demonstrates the enduring instability that newly created land presents and may indicate signs of imminent collapse.

The opening of the annual fishing season at Koke‘e on Kauaʻi, brought anglers of all ages to Pu‘u Lua Reservoir to catch rainbow trout. The reservoir was stocked earlier with 22,000 trout, the largest number ever.

Career fishermen and generations of fishing families have been waiting for access to the ocean since the 2018 Kīlauea lava flow blocked the Pohoiki Boat Ramp eight years ago.

Gov. Josh Green and the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council honored community members and organizations on Wednesday as part of Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Awareness Month (HISAM), recognizing efforts across the state to combat the growing threat of invasive species.

The grounds of Washington Place now have additional native vegetation, as part of a community Earth Day planting ceremony.

Hawai‘i’s Intermediate Court of Appeals ruled that a project to control mosquitos to protect endangered birds on Maui can continue. The court sided with Hawai‘i’s Department of Land and Natural Resources and the American Bird Conservancy, represented by the Center for Biological Diversity of Hawaiʻi, and found that the proposed mosquito control project would have no significant harm.

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 […]

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.

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.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee unanimously recommended passage Tuesday of a bill to set user fees only for nonresidents visiting state parks and trails.

The House of Representatives has passed on second reading a bill to combat the coconut rhinoceros beetle.

By a 5-2 vote, the House Committee on Housing passed a bill Friday aimed at removing lengthy historic property reviews from delaying housing developments.