Oʻahu Branch, Division of Forestry and Wildlife

10/09/2026

The DLNR has reopened the following areas after the passing of Hurricane Nolo:

Hawai‘i Island
All forestry and wildlife lands are open to the public except those for which staff are performing damage assessments and repairs including:
• Muliwai Trail, Waimanu campground, Keanakolu and ʻĀinapō cabins: Closed until staff can complete damage and safety assessments.

Most state parks except:
• Waialea Section of Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area: Closed due to fallen trees from Hurricane Lala.
• Lapakahi State Historical Park: Closed due to fallen trees from Hurricane Lala.
• ʻAkaka Falls State Park: The right side of the trail is closed due to fallen trees. The rest of the ʻAkaka Falls trail remains partially open.

Most state park camping areas and lodging facilities remain closed, including:
• Kalopā Cabins: Closed for repairs. The park remains open for daytime use and overnight camping.
• Hāpuna Cabins: Closed for repairs.
• Kīholo Campground: Closed due to fallen trees. The park remains open for daytime use only.

Maui and Molokaʻi
All forestry and wildlife lands are open to the public except:
• Makawao State Forest Reserve, Kula Forest Reserve and Waihou Spring Forest Reserve: Closed pending storm damage repairs.

All state parks except:
• Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area: Closed due to surrounding forest reserve closure.

Oʻahu
All forestry and wildlife lands are open to the public.

Kauaʻi
All forestry and wildlife lands and trails are closed to the public except:
• Mana Plains Forest Reserve
• Hunting Unit C: Check stations at Princeville, Moloaʻan and Kapahi (Closed: Moalepe and Loop Road check stations).
• Līhuʻe- Kōloa Forest Reserve: Keāhua Arboretum to the parking lot.
• Pu‘u ka Pele Forest Reserve: Waimea Canyon (access from canyon bottom).
• Hunting Unit F: Access below the junction of Kōke‘e Road and Waimea Canyon Drive.

The public is advised to use caution when entering any state parks and forest lands as unidentified and unmitigated hazards may still exist.

More at:

JOSH GREEN, M.D. GOVERNOR RYAN K.P. KANAKAʻOLE CHAIRPERSON MOST STATE PARKS, FOREST LANDS AND CAMPGROUNDS REOPENING AFTER NOLO – PUBLIC CAUTIONED ABOUT HAZARDS HONOLULU – The Department of Land and […]

08/25/2026

September 2026 Kaʻohe Game Management Area Bird Dog Training Period Announcement

HILO – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry & Wildlife, Hawai’i Island, would like to announce the dog training period in the Kaʻohe Game Management Area, Unit G, Hawaii Island, for the month of September 2026.

Access will not be allowed into the fenced Kaʻohe Restoration Area of unit G, also known as “Lau Ranch”, or the grazing portion adjacent to the Kilohana Girl Scout Camp during this period. Hunters are allowed to run their dogs for training purposes only during daylight hours every day of September, and no game bird hunting or fi****ms are allowed. No blaze orange required.

Hunters engaging in dog training are asked to sign in and out on the designated sheet at the Kilohana hunter check station each day.

Hunters are reminded that this opportunity is a privilege provided by the division to help hunters prepare their dogs for the general game bird season (first Saturday in November to the last Sunday in January, weekends and holidays plus W, Th for units G & A). Please be respectful of your fellow hunters, dogs, and other forest users to ensure the continuation of this opportunity into the future. Please do not take your dogs outside of the Kaʻohe Game Management Area (i.e., into unit A) or into the fenced “Lau Ranch” area, as active predator control is ongoing through the end of October.

Further information may be obtained by contacting the DOFAW Offices:
Hilo: (808) 974-422
Waimea: 808-887-6063
Main office (Oʻahu): 808-587-0166

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RESOURCES
(All images/video courtesy: DLNR)
Explore Outdoor Hawaiʻi: https://outdoor.hawaii.gov/
Hunting information: http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/recreation/hunting
Purchase hunting tags: https://gohunthawaii.ehawaii.gov/public/tags

07/23/2026

The 2026–2027 Hawaiʻi Wildlife Conservation and Game Bird Stamps are available!

Congratulations to Conservation Stamp winner Kūākea Yasak, whose artwork features a burly wild boar in loʻi kalo, and Game Bird Stamp winner Alvin Galvez, whose design highlights the California valley quail.

Hunters are reminded that a current-year Hawaiʻi Wildlife Conservation Stamp is required to hunt, and a Game Bird Stamp is required for those intending to hunt game birds. Both stamps are now available and may be purchased by calling 808-587-0166 or visiting the DOFAW office at 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325, in Honolulu.

07/21/2026

Kauaiina ioxantha is endemic to Kauaʻi. It belongs to the family Geometridae. The name refers to the way the caterpillars appear to “measure the earth” as they move. It’s giving 70s realness, and we can’t get over it.

Mahalo again to Kyhl Austin for the videos!

07/19/2026

National Moth Week is an annual event that invites people to participate in mothing (the practice of attracting, observing, and identifying moths). Spreading awareness (and happiness) about the beauty and diversity of moths is important.



*REMINDER: PLEASE SUBMIT ANY MOTH ART BY THE END OF THIS WEEK TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR CONTEST*

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Sound Credit: mackenzie.baker__

05/09/2026

From backyard birding to global surveys, data collection helps protect migratory birds. So go collect some data today!

Mahalo to all those who contributed photos of our migratory birds so that we could use them for outreach and education. Photographers for photos used here include: Alex Wang, Bret Mossman, Jacob Ducker, Lisa Roerk, Margaret Jensen, Meredith Miller, and Myrna N. Girald-Perez.

05/04/2026

Happy Earth Day! Want to celebrate with a fun, FREE activity?

The Pacific Islands Ocean Exploration Center is located at the Aloha Tower Marketplace center courtyard in downtown Honolulu, Hawaiʻi and is a FREE admission visitor center. The center highlights the unique natural and cultural resources of the three national marine sanctuaries in the Pacific Islands Region:

- Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary
- Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
- National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa

Bring your friends, bring your ‘ohana, and jump into the Pacific Islands Region National Marine Sanctuaries through immersive exhibits, storytelling, and educational programs. We hope to see you soon!

Location:
Aloha Tower Marketplace (located in the center courtyard)
1 Aloha Tower Dr Suite #1101
Honolulu, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi 96813
Admission: Free
Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Contact information:
Phone: (808) 600-5552

To schedule group visits or inquire on public or private events: Email [email protected] for the center’s reservation form.

To learn more about upcoming events, you can visit https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/about/pacific/visitor-center.html, which includes the public events calendar for the center.

→ OR Use the link or search “NOAA ONMS visitor centers” and scroll down to the Pacific Islands Region visitor centers.

Photos: Claire Generous/NOAA, Kate Thompson/NOAA and Robert Bourgeault