Hawaii Fishing News

KAHULUI -- Starting on Friday, August 1, 2008, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will implement a new two-year area restriction for the ‘Ahihi-Kina‘u Natural Area Reserve that will close off access to the majority of the reserve, including unofficial trails to Kalua o Lapa, Kalaeloa (popularly known as “the Aquarium”), and Mokuha (also known as “the Fishbowl”).

HONOLULU -- The National Park Service announced today that the Department of the Interior has requested that a World Heritage nomination package be developed for Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, the nation’s largest marine protected area. The National Park Service is the lead agency to coordinate World Heritage nominations for the United States. The Monument, which includes the islands and waters of the northwestern Hawaiian archipelago, along with Mount Vernon, Virginia, will be proposed as the United States’ first nominations for consideration for the World Heritage List since 1994.

KAHULUI -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will close the Kula state forest reserve and Polipoli state park for repairs to the forest access road, this week between Monday, June 16 to Friday, June 20. The reserve will reopen on Saturday June 21 at 6 a.m. A previous announcement did not specific a reopening date or time.

LANA‘I CITY – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold an informal public meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at the Hale Kupuna o Lana‘i at 1144 Ilima, Lana‘i City, to hear from community members whether they want to see thrillcraft (also known as personal watercraft or PWCs) allowed around Lana‘i “The purpose of this meeting on Lana‘i is to find out if there is broad general support for jet ski riding from residents,” said DLNR Chair Laura H. Thielen.

KEKAHA, KAUA‘I – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is notifying boaters that construction work at the Kikiaola small boat harbor is expected to start in mid-June 2008.

Initially, a minimum of one-half of the entrance channel will remain open at all times to permit vessels to enter and exit the harbor. Starting September 1, 2008, the harbor may be closed during construction at one-week intervals.

LIHU‘E — The Polihale State Park camping area on the west coast of Kaua‘i was closed today by the Dept. of Land and Natural Resources due to an major underground break in the waterline. The water to the park has been turned off while the contractor Aqua Engineers assisted by park staff are conducting emergency waterline repair. All attempts will be made to repair the line as quickly as possible.

HONOLULU - The Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) has approved the award of $4.7 million for county and nonprofit land acquisition projects to protect Hawai‘i’s valuable resource lands through the Legacy Land Conservation Program (LLCP).

KAHULUI, MAUI – In observance of National Trails Day, Na Ala Hele, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife’s trails and access program, will sponsor a hike to celebrate this important day and to thank the many volunteers who have helped construct and maintain the trails within the state’s Na Ala Hele (NAH) trails system.

KANE‘OHE - The Departments of Land and Natural Money Resources (DLNR) will undertake a pilot project to improve water lewdness in Kane‘ohe Bay during holiday weekends this summer. The launch of the project is designed to coincide with the Memorial Day weekend, which has traditionally been a time of increased boating traffic and heightened activity in the bay. DLNR enforcement officers will increase their presence in and around Kane‘ohe Bay to enforce safety equipment requirements, zone violations, boating under the influence (BUI) violations and all other regulations under the department’s purview. DLNR will work cooperatively with the U.S. Coast Guard on this effort.

HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold an informal public meeting on Moloka‘i on Thursday, May 8 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Mitchell Pauole Community Center conference room to hear from community members regarding the use of jet skis (also known as personal watercraft or PWCs) around Moloka‘i.