#Dawn Chang
New website launched as guide to explore Hawai‘i’s state lands, beaches, coastal waters
The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ jurisdiction encompasses nearly 1.3 million acres of state lands, beaches and coastal waters as well as 750 miles of coastline.
New federal funding to protect 2 million acres of land throughout Hawai‘i
Announced by the Trust for Public Land, or TPL, a national nonprofit that works to protect public land, the designation will ensure that under existing federal conservation and the Department of Defense Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration programs, funding for land conservation will include farming and ranch land, watershed protection, habitat restoration management, support military readiness and climate resiliency in Hawaiʻi.
State Land Board takes into consideration cultural resource damage, public impacts in $1.8M fine for boat grounding
“We commend members of the community, especially those from Honolua, who came forward to share their concerns.”
BLNR Chair Dawn Chang
#BigIslandNow #BigIslandNews
Cat feces suspected in death of a nēnē gosling found in Hilo park
“This tragic incident highlights the problem of having feral cat colonies in areas that are known habitat for endangered or threatened species,” said DLNR Chair Dawn Chang.
Reality TV show fined for permit violations at Ka‘iwi State Scenic Shoreline on O‘ahu
On Feb. 16, the Division of State Parks was notified of a possible special use permit violation associated with the filming of the TV series “Rescue: HI Surf.”
Millions of dollars proposed for wildfire mitigation and response
The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) has primary responsibility for fire pre-suppression and firefighting on the one million acres of state land under its jurisdiction.
What’s next for plans to revitalize Hilo’s iconic Banyan Drive?
Momentum for the revitalization of the area on the Big Island’s Waiākea Peninsula picked up steam after Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green signed an emergency proclamation in July to help clean up, secure and demolish the former Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel property.
State Climate Commission emphasizes clean transportation choices for Hawaiʻi
The Hawaiʻi State Climate Commission released reports suggesting investing in clean transportation alternatives that promote walking, biking, rolling and transit, will help address climate change.
Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources names interim water deputy
Dean Uyeno, a 25-year-long staffer with the Commission on Water Resource Management, has been assigned on a temporary basis as the interim Water Deputy with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Perimeter fence to be in place soon around former Uncle Billy’s on Hilo’s Banyan Drive
The state has contracted Andrew’s Fencing of Hilo on the Big Island for the project. The company will start work this month, which will take about a month to complete.
Demolition of former Uncle Billy’s in Hilo could begin by the end of this year
Because of recent actions by the Hawai’i County Council and Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green, there is a mandate to fast track demolition of the abandoned 148-bedroom structure that formerly was Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel along Banyan Drive.
System to manage tourism at Kauaʻi’s popular Hā‘ena State Park now model for State of Hawai’i
Hawai’i Gov. Josh Green signed a new law at Hāʻena State Park on Kauaʻi that establishes a path toward mitigating overtourism impacts on state parks
Inaugural Hawaiʻi Island Climate Fair set for June 17 in Hilo
The Hawaiʻi Climate Commission, in collaboration with Hawai‘i County, is hosting a Climate Community Fair in Hilo.
State defends actions to protect nēnē in Waikōloa, but offers no solution for cats
At the direction of Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green, Chair Dawn Chang of the Department of Land and Natural Resources came to the Big Island to “broker peace” with cat groups upset the state mandated the removal of feeding and watering stations to protect nēnē in Waikōloa.
Cat feeding at Hawai‘i Island shopping center to end
The Department of Land and Natural Resources has directed the removal of the cat-feeding station at Queens’ Marketplace, citing negative impacts to nēnē.
41 new Hawaiʻi State conservation and resources enforcement officers are sworn in
The 41 new state Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers will deploy to four branches: Big island (14), O‘ahu (14), Maui (7) and Kaua‘i (6).
Owner of grounded luxury yacht in a Maui bay will get $460,000 plus salvage bill
The Hawaiʻi State Department of Land and Natural Resources said it has hired Visionary Marine of Honolulu to do the salvage operations of the luxury yacht that grounded in Honolua Bay.
