DLNR Closes Big Island State Parks, Announces Several Statewide Mass Closures

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and risks of its potential spread, the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources has announced several closures, including state parks across the Big Island

As of March 18, 2020, the following parks are closed indefinitely:

Hawai‘i Island:   

• ‘Akaka Falls State Park
• Kekaha Kai State Park
• Wailoa River State Recreation Area
• Wailuku River State Park
• Hāpuna Beach SRA
• Kīholo State Park Reserve

Closures to state parks on other islands are also in effect.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during this time of major inconvenience,” said DLNR Chair Suzanne Case. “We intend to reopen parks and facilities as soon as the novel coronavirus is no longer a threat. These steps are being taken to protect all visitors and constituents, as well as our staff, while maintaining a high level of service.”

Other DLNR closures are listed alphabetically by division or office and will be updated”

Bureau of Conveyances (BOC) – (808) 587-0147

http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/boc/

• The public reference room #123 in the Kalanimoku State Office Building will be closed starting Wed, 3/18/20 until further notice. Most, but not all, research normally done in this facility can be accomplished online.
• The BOC recording office room #120 in the Kalanimoku State Office Building is continuing to conduct document recording.  Electronic or mail-in recordings are strongly recommended. Click this link or send mail to Bureau of Conveyances, P.O. Box 2867, Honolulu, HI  96803.

Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) – (808) 587-0214

https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/cwrm/

• The CWRM office, room 227, in the Kalanimoku State Office Building is closed to in-person access.
• All permit applications accepted by mail or electronic transmission: dlnr.cwrm@hawaii.gov
• CWRM is not currently accepting hand-delivered applications.

Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) – (808) 587-0100

https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/

• All DAR offices across the state are closed to in-person access. People can apply for licenses, permits and registrations on the DAR website or by calling (808) 587-0100.

Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) – (808) 587 1966

https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/

• All DOBOR District and Harbor offices are closed to in-person access.
• All public restrooms facilities within harbors are closed.
• All existing and new Marine Event Permits involving more than 50 people are being canceled.
• Payments for slips, revocable permits & leases, vessel registrations & transfers should be submitted online or via mail: vessel.ehawaii.gov or DOBOR, 4 Sand Island Access Road, Honolulu, HI  96819

 Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) – (808) 587-0066

https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/docare/

• All DOCARE offices statewide closed to in-person access. Anyone needing in-person services such as evidence releases or report copies should call DOCARE to make arrangements.
• All in-person State Hunter Education classes are suspended. On-line courses continue, but in-person testing requirements are suspended. Replacement hunter education cards can be processed online. Hunter Education offices in Honolulu and Waimea are closed to in-person access.
• DOCARE officers will be patrolling all closed facilities and enforcing these closures.  Anyone caught in a closed area is subject to law enforcement actions including the possibility of citations and/or arrest.
• Please report suspected resource violations to 643-DLNR (3567) or via the free DLNRTip app.

Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) – (808) 587-0166

http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dofaw/

• DOFAW announces a 30-day pause for deer hunting season in the Lānaʻi Game Management Area. Permits and reservations for deer hunts for March 21^st, 22^nd,28^th, 29^th and April 4^th, 5^th, 11^th & 12^th have been canceled. Efforts are underway to notify hunters impacted by this cancellation.
• Hawai ‘i island’s hunting tag requirements will be waived for the Spring Turkey and the Puuanhulu Archery season.
• At this time, there are no additional closures of State Forest Reserves, Wildlife Sanctuaries, other Game Management Areas, Natural Area Reserves, or trails in the Nā Ala Hele Trails & Access Program. (Please note: Mānoa Falls and ‘Aihualama trails are currently closed due to unsafe and slippery conditions).
• No new permits for Hawai‘i Island’s Waimanu campsites, Keanakolu cabins and Ainapo cabin will be issued. All existing permits are suspended and full refunds will be issued.
• There are no restrictions on otherwise permitted activities, including public access, hunting and recreation.
• All DOFAW offices statewide are closed to in-person access.
• Hunting licenses are available at: https://hunting.ehawaii.gov
• Camping permits are available at: https://camping.ehawaii.gov
• Collection permits are available upon request at: dlnr.fw.oahubranch@hawaii.gov
• Hiking permits for Lulumahu and Kuaokala trails are available at: https://trails.ehawaii.gov/camping/all,e-search.html#.
• Poamoho hiking permits are available at: https://hawaiitrails.hawaii.gov/trails/#/trail/poamoho-trail–poamoho-hele-loa-access-on-line-permit/175

DLNR Main Office (Chair’s Office) – (808) 587-0400

http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/

• Offices at 1151 Punchbowl Street, in the Kalanimoku State Office Building have limited in-person access.
• Please call the number above or contact DLNR at dlnr@hawaii.gov

Engineering Division – (808) 587-0230

http://dlnreng.hawaii.gov/

• Engineering Division Office, Room 221, in the Kalanimoku State Office Building are closed to in-person access, except for deliveries and mail drop off/pick-up.
• E-mail inquiries to dlnr.engr@hawaii.gov

 Administrative Services Office (Fiscal Office) – (808) 587-0344

• The office at 1151 Punchbowl Street, in the Kalanimoku State Office Building, is not accepting walk-in payments. Payments can be mailed to P.O. Box 621, Honolulu, HI 96809-0621.

State Historic Preservation Office (SHPD) – (808) 692-8015

https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/shpd/

• SHPD Offices are closed to in-person access.
• Communications, including formal project submittals must be sent electronically.
• The SHPD Librarian and GIS Specialist will respond to requests for digital library and archival materials, and GIS data on a first-come, first-served basis.
• To report the inadvertent discovery of a burial site, please call the number above.

 Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) – (808) 243-5020

http://www.kahoolawe.hawaii.gov/home.php

• KIRC’s Wailuku Office is closed to in-person access.
• All Kaho‘olawe trolling permits will only be accepted by mail. Boat stickers and permits will be mailed to applicants.
• Mail permit applications to 811 Kolu St., Suite 201, Wailuku, HI 96793
• The KIRC will be continuing recovery and restoration activities due to a recent wildfire on Kaho‘olawe, but workgroups are being reduced in size.

Land Division – (808) 587-0419

https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/ld/

• All Land Division Offices statewide are closed to in-person access.

Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands (OCCL) – (808) 587-0377

https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/occl/

• OCCL Offices are closed to in-person access.
• For information about Conservation District regulations and policies visit the OCCL webpage.
• Applications and inquiries can be mailed to Office of Conservation & Coastal Lands, P.O. 621, Honolulu, HI 96809-0621.

Division of State Parks – (808) 587-0300

https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/

• State Parks Offices statewide are closed to in-person access
• Caretakers will continue to maintain, monitor and service parks during these closures.
• Camping and pavilion use permits are suspended.
• Vendors and concessions are being contacted with cease-of-operations instructions.