Hawaii DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources)

08/15/2026

BLNR TAKES ACTION ON TWO EAST MAUI WATER ISSUES

After hours of receiving public comments, the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) voted today on two recommendations concerning the future of surface waters in East Maui.

“The Board of Land and Natural Resources has a responsibility to make decisions about the disposition of state water rights consistent with Hawaiʻi law and the state’s public trust obligations,” said BLNR Chairperson Ryan Kanakaʻole. “In considering the future use of East Maui water, the board must carefully consider the public purposes served by water use, including water for Maui communities, agriculture and other uses, while protecting stream resources and Native Hawaiian traditional and customary rights.

“The future disposition of East Maui water has been under consideration for many years and involves significant legal, environmental, cultural and community interests. The board recognizes the importance of these issues to the people and communities affected by its decisions and is committed to addressing them through the processes required by law.

“Moving forward with the contested case hearing ordered by the Environmental Court of the First Circuit in today’s agenda item D-6, demonstrates the BLNR’s commitment to developing a robust record of information that will inform the future of East Maui Water,” he added.

In the weeks to come, Chair Kanakaʻole will prioritize work on the selection of a hearing officer to comply with the court’s deadlines.

The relationship between CWRM and the BLNR:

The Department of Land and Natural Resources Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) is the state agency responsible for administering the State Water Code (Chapter 174C, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes) and managing and protecting Hawaiʻi’s water resources. For surface water, that includes establishing instream flow standards to protect instream uses and values, regulating stream diversion works and balancing the protection of public trust uses with reasonable and beneficial offstream uses. The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court has recognized instream flow standards as the primary mechanism for protecting public trust purposes that depend on water remaining in streams, including traditional and customary practices.

The role of the BLNR is to dispose of rights to use water emanating from state lands, in accordance with the public trust; however, for all waters of the state, whether the water originates from state-owned land or private land, CWRM remains the primary guardian of public trust rights with respect to water resources and retains primary regulatory authority under the State Water Code. Even if licensed by BLNR, the amount of water physically and legally available for diversion remains subject to CWRM’s interim instream flow standard (IIFS) and other decisions under the State Water Code. A BLNR license does not replace or limit CWRM’s authority to establish or amend IIFS, regulate stream diversions, or act on matters such as Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) water reservations.

More at:
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2026/08/14/nr26-100/

08/15/2026

CLOSURES OF STATE CAMPING, PARKS, LANDS AND TRAILS DUE TO TROPICAL STORM LALA

As Tropical Storm Lala continues its approach, a hurricane warning has gone into effect for Hawaiʻi Island and surrounding waters. Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of residents and visitors, the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) had announced the closures of camping, parks, lands and trails. See:

JOSH GREEN, M.D. GOVERNOR RYAN K.P. KANAKAʻOLE CHAIRPERSON CLOSURES OF STATE CAMPING, PARKS, LANDS AND TRAILS DUE TO TROPICAL STORM LALA HONOLULU – As Tropical Storm Lala continues its approach, […]

08/14/2026

LAND BOARD AUTHORIZES TRANSFER OF MORE THAN 300 ACRES TO DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS

The State Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) today authorized the transfer of more than 300 acres of state-owned lands in the Waiākea area of Hilo on Hawaiʻi Island, from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL).

“The BLNR did Hawaiʻi proud today by approving this significant land transfer,” said Governor Josh Green. “Getting Native Hawaiian beneficiaries onto the land has been a top priority of my administration. We awarded more than 2,500 leases in 2025 and are on track to award approximately 3,000 this year, the most in state history. This transfer builds on that progress and brings us closer to helping even more beneficiaries turn their awards into homes, working farms and thriving communities.”

“Today’s action by the BLNR represents a significant milestone toward full satisfaction of the transfers required under Act 14, First Special Session Acts, passed by the State Legislature in 1995,” said DLNR Chairperson Ryan Kanakaʻole. “The parcels approved for transfer will provide meaningful opportunities for both homesteading and revenue generation, further supporting DHHL’s mission to provide for the economic self-sufficiency of native Hawaiians.”

Act 14 was adopted to compensate DHHL for the state’s use of DHHL trust lands between August 21, 1959, and July 1, 1988. Since its enactment, DLNR and DHHL have collaborated to fully implement the intent of Act 14.

The eight parcels identified under today’s transfer consist of two commercial-zoned parcels appropriate for revenue-generating industrial/commercial development, as well as six parcels in the Hilo town core suited to connected residential and agricultural homestead development.

Next steps are for DHHL to conduct due diligence evaluations of the parcels to determine the extent to which they satisfy or otherwise meet the needs of the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust. Evaluation efforts will include title, environmental, cultural and infrastructure assessments.

More at:
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2026/08/14/nr26-98/

08/12/2026

Exploring Hawaiʻi starts with being prepared. 🙇‍♀️📝

Whether you're hiking up mauka, fishing down makai, or just hoping to spot native wildlife, a little preparation goes a long way. Explore Outdoor Hawaiʻi has easy-to-access safety resources to help you:

✅ View protected wildlife responsibly, including Hawaiian Monk Seals, sea turtles, Spinner Dolphins, Humpback Whales, and Nēnē.
✅ Prevent heat exhaustion before it starts.
✅ Stay safe around streams, waterfalls, and beaches.
✅ Plan ahead for a safe hiking adventure.

Before you head out, visit outdoor.hawaii.gov to learn how you can safely enjoy Hawaiʻi's precious outdoor spaces while helping protect the people, places, and wildlife that make them so special.

08/12/2026

DLNR CLARIFIES PROPOSED EAST MAUI WATER LICENSES BEFORE BLNR

A modified version of the state Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) Friday, August 14 meeting agenda has been publicly circulating concerning proposed East Maui water licenses.

The document, titled “AGENDA FOR THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES” with “EDITED FOR BREVITY” in red text, is not an official meeting agenda issued by BLNR. The document contains red-text additions that do not appear in BLNR’s official agenda and should not be understood as statements or characterizations by BLNR or the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).

“We want to ensure that the public has accurate information about what is actually before BLNR. We encourage anyone interested in this matter to review the official agenda and staff submittal and provide testimony to BLNR,” said BLNR Chairperson Ryan Kanakaʻole.

Item D-7 does not ask BLNR to award a 30-year water license to Mahi Pono. The item asks BLNR to authorize a public auction for a water license for certain government surface waters in East Maui. It also seeks approval of a separate water license to the County of Maui for domestic, municipal and agricultural purposes and a related delegation concerning an agreement for the operation, maintenance and monitoring of the East Maui Irrigation System.

Anyone wishing to review the official agenda and submittals to be considered by the BLNR at its Friday, August 14, 2026, meeting is encouraged to visit the DLNR’s LAND BOARD SUBMITTALS – 08/14/26 web page:

https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/meetings/blnr-meetings-2026/land-board-submittals-08-14-26/

See:
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2026/08/11/nr26-96/

08/12/2026

YOUNG MONK SEAL FOUND DECEASED IN UNATTENDED LAY NET ON OʻAHU’S NORTH SHORE

A three-month old monk seal was found deceased and entangled in an abandoned lay net approximately 10 yards offshore from an area west of Mokulēʻia Beach Park on Oʻahu’s North Shore on August 5. Officers from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) were dispatched to the scene and collaborated with Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response (HMAR) on the recovery.

“Irresponsible, reckless, and negligent use of lay nets kills aquatic life needlessly,” said DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla. “This is why the use of nets, particularly nets involved in the lay net fishing method, are highly regulated. Fishers using the lay net fishing method must retain an annual lay net permit from the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) and are responsible for recovering their nets and following all applicable rules and regulations.”

How You Can Help:

• Anyone with information or evidence relating to the party that may be responsible for the abandonment or placement of this gill net should contact DOCARE (808-643-DLNR) or the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement (800-853-1964).

• Anyone who comes across an injured, entangled, or dead seal should report it immediately to the statewide NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline (888-256-9840).

• All fishers who use gill nets for fishing in Hawaiʻi should familiarize themselves with Hawaiʻi Administrative Rule 13-75-12.4, Lay Nets and report those who endanger wildlife through irresponsible fishing practices.

• All gill nets should be registered and labeled.

More at:
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2026/08/11/nr26-95/

08/10/2026

DLNR is recruiting for the following position:

Property Manager IV – Lihue, Kauai
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/hawaii/jobs/5428401/property-manager-iv-lihue-kauai

08/09/2026

08/08/2026

Employees of the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) who distinguished themselves through exceptional service to communities throughout the state were celebrated today at the agency’s annual Incentive Service Awards Ceremony. Recipients of this year’s individual and team awards are:

Sustained Superior Performance Awards:

- Troy Sakihara, Aquatic Biologist IV, Division of Aquatic Resources, East Hawaiʻi District (Hilo).

- Jeremiah Aguilera, Kauaʻi District Manager, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation.

- Kathy Yoda, Hydrologic Research Technician II, Commission on Water Resource Management.

DLNR Employee of the Year Award:

- Joshua Atwood, Information and Education Coordinator, Division of Forestry and Wildlife.

DLNR Manager of the Year Award:

- Susan Lebo, Ph.D., Archaeology Branch Chief, State Historic Preservation Division.

DLNR Team of the Year Award:

- The Restorative Aquaculture Team, Division of Aquatic Resources, Oʻahu:
Anthony Mau, Aquatic Biologist VI; Christina Jayne, Aquatic Biologist V; David Cohen, Urchin Hatchery Manager; Keelee Martin, Aquaculture Specialist.

More at:

JOSH GREEN, M.D. GOVERNOR RYAN K.P. KANAKAʻOLE CHAIRPERSON OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNIZED AT DLNR 2026 EMPLOYEE SERVICE AWARDS HONOLULU – Employees of the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources […]

08/05/2026

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, will conduct a public hearing on proposed amendments to Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR) Chapter 13-124, “Rules for Indigenous Wildlife, Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, Injurious Wildlife, Introduced Wild Birds and Introduced Wildlife.” The proposed amendments are designed to increase protections for native wildlife (referred to in the rule chapter as “indigenous wildlife”).

The proposed amendments would:

Increase protections for indigenous wildlife by prohibiting “take” of indigenous wildlife, where “take” includes “harm” or “harass”;
Increase protections for indigenous, threatened and endangered wildlife where such wildlife live naturally by prohibiting significant habitat modification that harms or kills such wildlife;
Protect the health and safety of indigenous, threatened and endangered wildlife by prohibiting the feeding of such wildlife throughout the state and by prohibiting the feeding or abandonment of wildlife and domestic animals on department lands; and
Protect indigenous, threatened and endangered wildlife and their habitats by restricting the movement of injurious wildlife through prohibiting the distribution or sale of plants, equipment, or other goods that contain injurious wildlife.
The proposed amendments and a public input survey are available now on the DLNR Forestry and Wildlife website at dlnr.hawaii.gov/dofaw/comment.

The public hearing will be a hybrid in-person and virtual meeting that will take place:

August 13, 2026
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 132, Honolulu

Written testimony will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on August 26, 2026.

More at:
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2026/08/04/nr26-93/

JOSH GREEN, M.D. GOVERNOR RYAN K.P. KANAKAʻOLE CHAIRPERSON ADMINISTRATIVE RULE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED TO IMPROVE PROTECTIONS OF HAWAIʻI’S INDIGENOUS WILDLIFE Public Input Invited Through an Online Survey and Public Hearing HONOLULU […]