#Department of Land and Natural Resources

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.

Community-built comfort station at Hāʻena State Park gets BLNR approval

In a landmark decision, the land board has approved a nonprofit to plan, design and pay for an entire capital improvement project for the DLNR Division of State Parks. The project will take place at Ha’ena State Park on Kauaʻi.

Bill to require nonresident user fees at state parks and trails clears key Senate panel

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.

DLNR: Releasing mosquitoes to help Kaua‘i’s forest birds

Staff from the Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project heralded Thursday’s first release of male mosquitoes, into a state forest reserve on the vast Alakaʻi Plateau, as momentous.

Volunteers help with coqui frog control efforts on Oʻahu

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.

House passes bill to combat rhinoceros beetle on second reading

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

Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death detected at Maui elementary school

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.

Wildfire protection bill advances in Senate; House defers decision-making until Wednesday

The Senate Committees on Labor & Technology and Public Safety & Military Affairs unanimously passed Senate Bill 1383 on Monday at the State Capitol. The bill would prevent wildfires by adopting an extensive revamping of Hawaiʻi’s fire prevention laws, as proposed by Gov. Josh Green’s administration.

House bill advances to speed up historic preservation reviews of development projects

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.

Update: Hula Girl catamaran grounding is one of three vessels run aground in Maui County

The charter sailing vessel Hula Girl’s grounding at Honolua Bay in West Maui is one of three vessels that have run ashore in Maui County as the result of recent stormy weather, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
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