#Division of Aquatic Resources
Honokōhau Harbor’s new Hawaiian monk seal pup neighbor welcomed, but maybe too much?
State and The Marine Mammal Center partner for public outreach and education campaign for fishers and boaters at West Hawai’i harbor to remind them that some actions can make the endangered 5-month-old monk seal rely on people for food or get too close to fishing hooks, etc.
‘Massive effort’: Hundreds of coral colonies recovered from Honokōhau harbor for restoration
Collaboration of conservation divers successfully removed and relocated nearly 11 years of coral growth from a decommissioned fish farm pipe ring during complex 3-day operation in West Hawai‘i waters.
Corals reattached following possible anchor damage in area of Kewalo Basin seafloor off Honolulu
Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Divison of Aquatic Resources divers will check on the colonies later this year to determine if further action is needed. Nonprofit Kuleana Coral Restoration is also conducting follow-up surveys and will submit updates to the state aquatic resources division and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
NOAA ‘mother ship’ circling Hawaiian Islands as scientist scuba divers monitor coral reefs
Twenty scientists, in addition to crew members, are aboard Oscar Elton Sette, which departed its home port of Honolulu on July 1.
Kaua‘i fisherman finds oddity in belly of tuna; scientists identify rare octopus
Alan Okuhara of Mark’s Place is a scientist at heart; he and marine biologist Molly Lutcavage have a list of ‘marine mysteries’ to solve.
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
Someone planted non-native coral at Kaua‘i beach; state relies on community to report fishy goings-on
Members of Reef Guardians – an ocean conservation nonprofit based on Kaua‘i and in Santa Barbara, California – first uncovered the strange coral in 2021.
Kahaluʻu Beach Park in Kona to be closed at end of May because of coral spawning
Marine heat waves in 2015 and 2019 caused catastrophic bleaching and mortality of more than 90% of the cauliflower coral population. In 2018, yearly rest periods were initiated in an effort to bring the coral back to the Big Island bay’s reef.
Big Island Now poll no. 51: Is an insurance policy for Hawai‘i’s coral reef worth it?
The state along with nonprofit partners are always working together to find ways to promote the health and protect Hawai‘i’s coral reefs.
Volunteers observe thousands of humpbacks in latest statewide whale count of 2024
A grand total of 2,141 whales were counted throughout the main Hawaiian Islands. This number may represent duplicate sightings of the same whale by different observers or at different time periods or different locations throughout the day.
Over 300 humpback whales sighted off Big Island shores on Saturday
Saturday was the first of three coordinated whale counts between Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count from the shores of Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Molokaʻi and Hawai‘i Island and the Great Whale Count by Pacific Whale Foundation from Maui and Lānaʻi.
New or amended ocean resources rules go before State Land Board
In 2021, the Hawai‘i State Legislature mandated the implementation of the Ocean Stewardship User Fee. Commercial operators that are required to have a Commercial Use Permit from the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR), will have to collect a $1.00 fee from each passenger or customer.
Coral in Kaneohe Bay ‘pulverized’ after Navy aircraft slid off runway into ocean
An assessment of the coral reefs in Kaneohe Bay after a Navy aircraft slid off the runway at Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i last month showed extensive damage with state officials describing some areas as “pulverized.”
Hawaiʻi Division of Aquatic Resources holding hearings for ocean stewardship fees
The Hawaiʻi State Division of Aquatic Resources will hold hearings on the proposed adoption of administrative rules that establish provisions for the Ocean Stewardship User Fee.
Marine wildlife advocates, cultural practitioners urge closing of Kanaloa Octopus Farm in West Hawaiʻi
A coalition of native Hawaiian and marine wildlife advocates submitted complaints on Tuesday to two state agencies that urge the further investigation of “apparent violations of law” at the Kanaloa Octopus Farm in Kailua-Kona and the ending of its lease at a state-owned facility.
Coral nursery under construction in Kona for program to save West Hawai‘i’s reefs
For 120 miles along the West Hawaiʻi coastline, from ‘Upolu Point to South Point, fragments of coral large and small are broken every day by big winter swells, rising ocean temperatures, illegal anchor drops, and legal and illegal moorings.
Cinder block lane markers for Kona canoe regatta damage 50 to 60 coral colonies
Cinder blocks used for lane markers for the Founders Regatta in Kona on May 27, 2023, caused damage to about 50 to 60 coral colonies.
Cinder block moorings found resting on coral reef temporarily postpones canoe race in Kona
The Keauhou Canoe Club hosted the Founders Regatta on Saturday at the Kailua Pier on Ali‘i Drive. Teams from the Department Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources looked at the placement of the 28 race markers when they discovered the 16 cinder blocks resting on coral structures.
Project aims to restore Waikīkī reefs with coral nurseries, $9M grant
This initiative is one of nearly 150 projects across 30 coastal and Great Lakes states and territories that were recommended to receive a total of $562 million.
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument has new NOAA superintendent
Eric Roberts previously served as deputy superintendent of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument since September 2019, where he led a team of policy and program specialists in the day-to-day management.
