The Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Aquatic Resources is concerned about a recent increase in harmful interactions between fishermen and monk seals. This year, 24 monk seal hookings already have been reported on O’ahu.

The state Board of Land and Natural Resources voted Friday to impose a $100,000 fine on the owners of a luxury yacht that damaged hundreds of coral colonies when its anchor swung through the coral bed during an incident in October of 2018 at Kailua Bay on Hawai'i island.

“This change in rules is effective immediately and allows commercial and recreational boats, with a rated US Coast Guard capacity of more than ten, to not exceed their rated capacity by no more than 50 percent, provided they operating under the Boating and Ocean Recreation COVID-19 guidelines," said DOBOR Administrator Ed Underwood.

After reviewing the applicant aquarium fishers’ proposal and testimony and deliberating for over four hours, the BLNR determined that the EIS did not adequately disclose the potential environmental impacts from the issuance of ten aquarium fishing permits for West Hawaiʻi.

In order to provide the DLNR and the Board of Land and Natural Resources relevant information, including community input, into whether Maunakea is being effectively managed, the department is launching an independent evaluation of the University of Hawai‘i’s (UH) compliance with the Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP).

According to a 2007 report published in the scientific journal Ecological Applications, Molokini Marine Life Conservation District was considered the most effective marine protected area in Hawaiʻi1,2. However, during the past decade, Molokini’s ecosystem health has declined, likely related to pressures from intensive tourism at this mid-ocean reef system. 

Inspection revealed aquarium fishing gear, including a small mesh net, aboard their vessel.

Mayor Michael Victorino answers some of the most-asked questions. 

A shocking video of a man hitting a monk seal resting on a beach has garnered a slew of backlash on Instagram. 

Following the latest mass coral bleaching event in Hawaiian waters last fall, the Department of Land and Natural Resources is now using an equipment rich, aerial platform to map and access the health of reefs along the more than 700 miles of shoreline in the Main Hawaiian Islands.

Artists are encouraged to submit entries to the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife for the 2020-21 hunting stamp.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources is hosting a free event in an effort to encourage the public to use plastic free bottles.

A day at the beach ended with an unpleasant encounter for one Makawao resident.

A blessing and ribbon cutting marked the completion of a new 8,000 square-foot building, housing four divisions of the Department of Land and Natural Resources on Maui.

This year's game bird hunting season will begin on Saturday and run through Jan. 25, the Department of Land and Natural Resources announced today.