#BLNR
State trying to purchase 9 acres of private land to expand Hilo Harbor
The state is trying to acquire five parcels of land for a needed expansion of the Big Island’s most important harbor, but it would mean relocating about 15 businesses and a church.
Pilot project will allow on-the-spot tickets, fines for resource violations in Hawaiʻi
The Hawaiʻi State Department of Land and Natural Resources is putting together a three-month pilot project that will allow state conservation enforcement resource officers to issue on-the-spot tickets and/or fines for rule violations.
Why were oral arguments challenging permit of Thirty Meter Telescope deferred? Nobody will say
Despite a July 3 order setting July 28 as the date for oral arguments in the latest challenge to the Thirty Meter Telescope project on the Big Island’s Maunakea, the matter was deferred a week ago and nobody will say why or when the oral arguments will be heard.
Kauaʻi community group battles mainland developersʻ plans for new hotel at former Coco Palms Resort
Mainland developers plan to transform the former Coco Palms Resort on Kaua’i into a new hotel, but community group I Ola Wailuanui is ramping up local outreach to share its alternative vision for the site.
Act 90 land-transfer partnership continues between state agencies
In the 20 years since its enactment, more than 250 leases, revocable permits, and vacant parcels representing more than 38,000 acres of crop and pasture lands have been transferred to the Department of Agriculture and the Agribusiness Development Corporation.
Division of Boating hit with $600K for wastewater violations – sort of
The Department of Health issued the boating division a Notice of Violation and Order for failure to produce effluent within state limits.
Distressed condos on Banyan Drive in Hilo may soon get a $20 million renovation
On Friday, the Hawai’i State Board of Land and Natural Resources will decide whether to approve a $20 million renovation of the former Country Club Condominiums complex by Banyan Drive Management LLC.
Decommissioning of UH Hilo’s Hōkū Kea Observatory on Maunakea to begin late 2023
The Hawaiʻi Board of Land and Natural Resources approved the plan submitted by the university’s Center for Maunakea Stewardship for the decommissioning of the UH Hilo Hōkū Kea Observatory.
Fishers, farmers sue Hawaiʻi state agency over West Kaua‘i Energy Project
Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative – the county’s electricity provider – is planning to rehabilitate existing reservoirs, roads and irrigation systems throughout the West Side with project partner AES, a Fortune 500 global energy company.
Fishers now must obtain a permit to use lay nets in State waters
Fishers will now have to obtain a permit from the DLNR to use lay nets in State waters, effective 10 days after the governor signs off.
Dredging in Honolulu Harbor damages 15,000 corals; barge company to pay $1.1 million settlement
In May 2021, while dredging Honolulu Harbor, the anchors and cables of a barge operated by Healy Tibbitts Builders broke or damaged more than 15,000 corals and 140 square yards of live rock.
Public Hearing Approved for Proposed New Rules for Lay Nets
The state will have a meeting and public hearing to establish a new annual lay net permit requirement and fee.
Hilo Man Slapped With $600K Fine For Poisoning Prawn in Stream
A Hilo man was fined more than $600,000 after he reportedly poured poison into the Pāheʻeheʻe Stream resulting in the deaths of an estimated 6,250 Tahitian prawns.
State Issues Record Fines Against Aquarium Fishing Couple
Husband and wife, Stephen Howard and Yukako Toriyama, were ordered to pay fines for fishing and boating violations, which happened last Sept. 15.
Owners of Luxury Yacht Fined After Dropped Anchor Damages Coral in Kailua Bay
The owners of a luxury yacht that damaged coral when it dropped anchor in Kailua Bay two years ago was ordered to pay $100,000.
BLNR Rejects West Hawai‘i Aquarium Fishing EIS
Aquarium fishing with fine mesh nets in West Hawai‘i waters will remain shut down, at least for the time being.
Gov. Ige Nominates Three to BLNR
Governor David Ige on Monday announced three nominations for the Board of Land and Natural Resources.
UPDATE: TMT Protest at BLNR Meeting Prompts Responses
“The behavior of a few individuals at last week’s Board of Land and Natural Resources meeting was unfortunate, uncalled for and unacceptable.”
BLNR Approves State Boating Rules Changes
The Board of Land and Natural Resources approved amendments to a wide-range of state boating rules
TMT Hearing Continues
Some declared Friday that TIO no longer has a sublease and should be dismissed from the hearing since it wouldn’t have a property interest
