MEDIA RELEASE

HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Bureau of Conveyances has launched two new online services to improve the recording and research of real property transactions in Hawai‘i.

Effective immediately, businesses and individuals can file financing statements, a.k.a. Uniform Commercial Code form 1 (UCC-1) forms completely electronically at boc.ehawaii.gov

The Bureau’s existing online document search has also been upgraded, enabling anyone performing ownership / licensing research to bypass the public access room and run their searches on the 9.6 million documents 24-hours a day, 7-days-a-week.

“This is the beginning of major modernization efforts at the Bureau which were made possible when electronic storage of documents became a legal option as a result of changes passed by the 2009 Legislature and approved by the Governor,” said DLNR Chairperson Laura H. Thielen. “We are moving quickly to enable the electronic submission of more Bureau documents this year.”

The Bureau examines, records, indexes, and microfilms 300,000 Regular System and Land Court documents and maps annually; issues Land Court certificates of title; certifies copies of matters of record; and researches UCC requests. Hawai‘i is the only state in the nation with a single statewide recording office.

Bureau of Conveyances Online Services provides:

• Electronic Filing of UCC-1 Filings: Eliminates the need for mail or a physical visit
• Search the Bureau’s 9.6 million documents online: No need to visit the Public Access Room; run searches any time/day
• Pay for searches/ filings online: Pay for filings using a credit card or subscriber account with eHawaii.gov.

Hawai‘i’s official Internet portal, ehawaii.gov, is managed by the Hawai‘i Information Consortium, LLC (HIC). HIC works with state and county agencies to enable them to conduct government business online and improve public access to government information.

Users can access Bureau of Conveyances services at boc.ehawaii.gov and learn more about Hawai‘i online services at www.ehawaii.gov.

MEDIA RELEASE

HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold public hearings statewide, starting March 16, on proposed amendments to bottomfish administrative rules.

The proposed rule amendments would: establish a new section to open and close the bottomfish season; change commercial reporting of bottomfish catches from monthly reports to trip reports to the State; change the non-commercial bag limit from only ehu and onaga to all deep-seven species; change the bottomfish vessel registration requirement from “one-time” to annual renewal; and allow for the use of certain nets to take Kona crab while on a bottomfish vessel.

“These proposed rule amendments are intended to make state laws more consistent with existing federal laws, and provide more timely fisheries information,” said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson. “They will also help us improve management of the bottomfish fishery in the main Hawaiian Islands.”

Each meeting will begin with a public information presentation at 6 p.m., followed by the hearing at 6:30 p.m.

Following are the meeting and hearing dates and locations:
March 16, Kona — Kealakehe High School; 74-5000 Puohulihuli Street,
March 16, O‘ahu — Stevenson Middle School; 1202 Prospect Street, Honolulu
March 18, Lana‘i — Lana‘i High School and Elementary School; 555 Fraser Avenue
March 19, O‘ahu — Ben Parker Elementary School; 45-259 Waikalua Road; Kane‘ohe
March 22, Maui — Maui Waena Elementary School; 795 Onehe‘e St.; Kahului
March 22, Hilo – ‘Aupuni Conference Room; 101 Pauahi Street; Hilo, Hawai‘i
March 23, Moloka‘i — Mitchell Pau‘ole Center; 90 ‘Ainoa Street; Kaunakakai
March 23, Kaua‘i –Wilcox Elementary School; 4319 Hardy Street; Lihu‘e.

All interested persons are urged to attend the public hearing to present relevant information and individual opinion for the DLNR to consider. Persons unable to attend or wishing to present additional comments, may mail written testimony by Friday, April 9, 2010 to the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 330, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813.

Anyone with a hearing impairment who desires to attend the public hearing may request assistance of a sign language interpreter. The request may be made in writing (to the DAR address in the preceding paragraph), or by calling 587-0100 (voice or TDD) in Honolulu. The request will need to be received at least 7 days before the hearing is scheduled to start.

Additional information or a copy of the proposed rule changes is available at www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dar or will be mailed at no charge upon receipt of verbal or written request to the DAR address.

MEDIA RELEASE

HONOLULU — Licensed commercial fishers can now submit their monthly commercial fishing reports on-line using a new system implemented by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR). There is no charge to the fishers to use this new on-line system.

“DLNR is providing fishers this new on-line system as a quick and convenient alternative method of submitting monthly commercial fishing reports, which are required by law,” said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson.

“On-line filing is a tool that facilitates the collection of fishing reports, which provide invaluable data for both State and federal government agencies that manage fisheries in Hawaiian waters,” Thielen said. The on-line system is part of the Lingle-Aiona Administration’s continuing efforts to make more state government services available on-line to increase convenience to the public and improve government efficiency.”

The web-site address is dlnr.ehawaii.gov/cmls-fr. Only fishers with a valid commercial marine license issued by DLNR will be able to submit on-line reports, and must enter identifying information to log in to the secured system via their license record.

Some of the features of the on-line fishing report system include:
Ability to view report submission status;
Easy to submit “Did Not Fish” report for months in which a fisher had no activity;
Drop down windows for area fish code, gear, landing port and species to facilitate report completion;
An option to save data entries for each individual fishing trip until a fisher is ready to submit their report at end of the month;
Ability to print a copy of the monthly report for the fisher’s business records;
Option to download an extract of the fishing report record for import into the fisher’s favorite software so they can analyze their own fishery performance;
A link to the DAR on-line commercial marine licensing system that allows renewal of a commercial marine license on-line.

During the initial phase of this on-line project, only the fishing report form can be submitted on-line. Other report forms, including the commercial aquarium catch, deep-sea hand line trip, tuna hand line trip, net/trap/dive activity reports, will be available for on-line reporting in the near future.

DLNR is hoping to have a high adoption rate among the 2,500 licensed commercial fishers, who can now convert from paper reporting to on-line reporting. In addition, on-line reporting is expected to reduce expenses for both fishers and DLNR through lower costs for postage and printing of report booklets.

By submitting complete and accurate fishing reports every month before the reporting deadline (the 10th day of the following month), commercial fishers will avoid license renewal refusal, or fines administered by the department’s Civil Resources Violation System.

Commercial fishers who need assistance in using the new on-line system may contact the Division of Aquatic Resources statistical unit in Honolulu at (808) 587-0108, or 587-0595, or 587-0084, or 587-0594 from Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., except holidays and “furlough Fridays.” Questions may be e-mailed to the Fishing Report hotline at fishrpt@hawaii.gov.

MEDIA RELEASE

The Department of Land and Natural Resources announces the opening of the 2010 Spring Bearded Turkey Hunting Season on Monday, March 1, 2010. The spring season will run 31 consecutive days through Wednesday, March 31, 2010. The spring season will be for bearded turkeys only in locations identified below. The season length, bag limits, and hunting areas are those established in Title 13, Chapter 122, “Rules Regulating Game Bird Hunting, Field Trials and Commercial Shooting Preserves.” The appellate court ruling (Tanaka v. State, December 31, 2007) removed the Department’s ability to make any seasonal adjustments. The following conditions and restrictions will be in effect:

click on table above to enlarge

Bag Limits and Tags

The daily bag limit shall be two bearded turkeys per hunter with a season bag limit of two. All hunters are required to have a current unused turkey tag in their possession while hunting. Tags are currently free of charge. Turkey tags are nontransferable and must be fastened with snaps and secured tightly around the neck of any bird taken immediately after the kill. Tags may be obtained from any Hawaii Island Division of Forestry & Wildlife office and a number of commercial vendors. Hunters must present current State of Hawaii Hunting License when obtaining tags. Turkey tags are also required on private land.

Information may be obtained by contacting Division of Forestry & Wildlife offices at the following phone numbers: Hilo: (808) 974-4221; Kamuela: (808) 887-6063 or the main office at (808) 587-0166.

MEDIA RELEASE

Kayaks landing at Kaawaloa on the Captain Cook Monument side of Kealakekua Bay. Photographs by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7.

KAILUA-KONA – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is implementing new measures to improve its management of the Kealakekua Bay State Historic Park and better protect the sensitive natural, historic and cultural resources of these treasures of Hawai‘i.

To prevent damage to the shoreline and coral reef and accidental destruction of significant historic and cultural sites by large numbers of visitors, DLNR is now requiring that visitors to the park receive information regarding the sensitive sites and guidance on how to assist in preserving the area during their visit. Effective February 23, 2010 information will be provided through a simple permit system for people seeking to land vessels along the Ka‘awaloa shoreline or moor at the wharf adjacent to the Captain Cook Monument in the bay.

“Residents can easily access free education and cultural practices permits that will provide guidance to ensure there is no accidental damage to the cultural sites,” said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson.

“Visitors have guided tours to ensure they appreciate the historical and cultural significance of the areas and eliminate inadvertent damage,” she added.

“In the meantime, the entire bay remains open to all people to enjoy the pristine waters and marine life,” she said.

Signs will be posted at entry locations along the bay to notify people of this system and provide information on how they can obtain a permit.

Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park and Ka‘awaloa peninsula within the bay are two of Hawai‘i’s most significant historical and cultural locations, with an abundance of fragile and significant archaeological sites.

Captain Cook Monument at Kealakekua Bay.

Ka‘awaloa is the shoreline commonly used to access the famous Captain Cook Monument from the bay. Boaters also use this shoreline to beach their vessel before snorkeling at Ka‘awaloa Cove.

“We encourage every visitor and resident to enjoy this magnificent area, and to do so responsibly to protect and preserve the corals and marine life and help ensure public safety,” said Deborah Ward, spokesperson for DLNR.

DLNR has conducted recent law enforcement actions at the pier in cooperation with Hawai‘i County Police to address illegal commercial rental of kayaks. Several illegal kayaks have been confiscated.

DLNR is informing kayak rental vendors of the new permit requirement, and requesting that the vendors advise their customers of the landing without a permit restriction.

DLNR Enforcement officers have posted and distributed the same notice at Napo‘opo‘o Pier. DLNR will also implement an outreach plan to kayak and ocean recreation companies, visitor and resident recreational interests.

MEDIA RELEASE

Starting Monday, Feb. 1, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will begin construction to replace the potable water system at Wailoa State Recreation Area.

The improvements include the replacement of the water main starting from its connection on Manono Street and running into park grounds. This water main will connect with waterlines servicing the comfort station, three rental pavilions, service faucets; and a new accessible drinking fountain.

The park will remain open but there will be some inconvenience to park users during construction. The work will impact certain pathways to the pavilions and comfort station. In case water service to the park is disrupted, interim water service and portable toilets will be provided if needed.

“Wailoa River State Recreation Area is heavily used by Big Island residents as it provides a variety of recreational amenities including picnic pavilions that can accommodate large groups and events,” said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairwoman.

“These long-awaited improvements are a key component of the Lingle-Aiona Administration’s ongoing efforts to upgrade our aging state parks facilities statewide, and to ensure public health and safety for those who use the parks,” she said. “In conjunction with DLNR’s Recreational Renaissance, we are continuing to improve recreational areas because we know they are important to local families for picnicking, hiking, camping and other activities.”

The contractor is BCP Construction of Hawaii and the project cost is $168,000. The project is scheduled to be completed by August 2010.

“The contractor will utilize appropriate safety barriers and practices to accommodate park users during the construction period. Please pardon the inconvenience and we appreciate your understanding during this period,” Thielen said.

This 132-acre landscaped park is located in downtown Hilo and set around the Wailoa River at the end of Piilani Street. It is open daily during daylight hours for pleasure walking, quiet relaxation, informal games and events, picnicking, and access to fishing via the Wailoa boat ramp.

Information services and cultural displays are available at Wailoa Visitor’s Center which is accessible off Pauahi through Piopio Street. There are restrooms, picnic tables, trash cans, drinking water.

MEDIA RELEASE

The Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, in conjunction with reconstruction of the Saddle Road from mileposts 11 to 19, is making harvested ohia timber and firewood available free to the public through Jan. 3.

Timber cleared from the Saddle Road project will be stockpiled in a forest clearing located approximately 250 feet north (Mauna Kea side) of Saddle Road at milepost 16 (Morita Camp).
Wood may only be removed from the stockpile at this location between these dates. There is no limit to the amount that may be taken from the stockpile.

No other cutting of standing trees or wood harvesting will be allowed along Saddle Road.

“The realignment of Saddle Road has required removal of trees in the Hilo Forest Reserve along the highway. DLNR would like to see these resources used as much as possible by the public instead of being bulldozed and sent to the landfill.” said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairwoman.

During the collecting period and location only, no harvesting permit will be required.

For further information, call the DOFAW office at 974-4221.

MEDIA RELEASE

The Department of Land and Natural Resources is advertising industrial and commercial lands for lease. Legal notices for two of the properties have already been published and others will be published in the near future.

“The renewed focus to solicit and issue long-term leases on vacant or soon-to-become vacant state lands is fundamental to DLNR’s Recreational Renaissance plan to care for our public outdoor recreational facilities, as it will help generate additional revenues – mainly from commercial, industrial-type, and resort-type leases, to support improvements in state parks, harbors and trails,” Chairwoman Laura H. Thielen said. “It’s basic — Public Lands for Public Places.”

Listings include: two parcels totaling 105 acres in east Kapolei designated for transit-oriented development and urban land uses, six vacant industrial-zoned lots in the Waipahu Mill Town Business Park, a 110-acre parcel located within the Campbell Industrial Park on Oahu, and approximately 13.7 acres, or 596,780 sq. ft., of currently limited industrial zoned properties situated in Waiakea, South Hilo.

DLNR will update this list of properties and any pertinent information periodically.

Inquires about the Department’s Revenue Generating Properties may be directed to Keith Chun, planning and development manager at 587-0440, or Gavin Chun, project development specialist, at 587-0419.

Information on some of the Revenue Generating Properties is available on DLNR’s Web site at www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/recreate/lease-properties

Additional information on the comprehensive Recreational Renaissance Plan B is on the DLNR Web site at www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/recreate

MEDIA RELEASE

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has released $1 million that will enable the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to implement energy and water efficiency and conservation improvements at state parks.

As part of DLNR’s ongoing efforts to upgrade and modernize state parks and other outdoor recreational facilities statewide, the department will use the funds to design renewable energy sources to power park facilities such as water system pumps, sewer system pumps, booster pumps, trail lighting and rental cabins and kitchens.

The funding will allow DLNR to continue to replace and retrofit existing lighting fixtures and lamps, replace aging and inefficient appliances and water heaters, install water efficient fixtures, and implement energy and water conservation measures.

The funds will also be used to design renewable energy sources for facilities at various state parks and Mauna Kea State Recreation Area on Hawai‘i. Construction of a pilot project may include one or more of these parks as funding will allow.

In fiscal year 2009, state parks expended over $300,000 for electricity costs and close to $460,000 for water and sewer costs.

“The shift to renewable energy sources and energy efficient lighting and appliances, coupled with water conservation and efficiency measures will result in costs savings that are needed to fund park operations and ongoing maintenance,” said DLNR Director Laura H. Thielen.

The energy efficiency improvements are part of the Lingle-Aiona Administration’s continuing efforts to make State office buildings and facilities more energy efficient in order to reduce electricity costs and decrease Hawai‘i’s dependence on imported fossil fuels. This effort to lead by example supports the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative, which aims to have 70 percent of Hawai‘i’s energy come from clean sources by the year 2030, including 40 percent from renewable energy and 30 percent through energy conservation measures.

MEDIA RELEASE

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of State Parks, invites the public to attend a scoping meeting Saturday, Nov. 14 on its update of a master plan to guide the long-term use and management of Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park.

The scoping meeting is 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Konawaena Elementary School cafeteria.

“We are continuing to seek the community’s assistance to better manage the multiple issues of traffic and parking, impacts of park use on the neighboring community, interpretation of the significant history of Kealakekua, and protection of the natural and cultural resources of the park,” said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairwoman.

As the planning moves forward between now and 2011, there will be additional opportunities for public input on the plan and EIS.

The master plan will refine and expand the 1997 conceptual plan for the park by incorporating new and relevant information and considering new alternatives for park facilities, programs, interpretive concepts and park management.

Belt Collins Hawaii is serving as the consultant to DLNR for the master plan update.

DLNR’s contract with Belt Collins is for $561,526 with planning funds appropriated by the Legislature in the previous biennium (FY07).

— Find out more:

beltcollins.com/kealakekua

Lisa Reinke: (808) 521-5361 or Kealakekua@beltcollins.com

MEDIA RELEASE

HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of State Parks, invites the public to attend a scoping meeting on Saturday, November 14 on its update of a master plan to guide the long-term use and management of Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park.

The scoping meeting will be held at Konawaena Elementary School Cafeteria in Kealakekua, Hawai‘i, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Information can be found online at beltcollins.com/kealakekua

“We are continuing to seek the community’s assistance to better manage the multiple issues of traffic and parking, impacts of park use on the neighboring community, interpretation of the significant history of Kealakekua, and protection of the natural and cultural resources of the park,” said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson.

As the planning moves forward between now and 2011, there will be additional opportunities for public input on the plan and EIS.

The master plan will refine and expand the 1997 conceptual plan for the park by incorporating new and relevant information and considering new alternatives for park facilities, programs, interpretive concepts and park management. Belt Collins Hawai‘i is serving as the consultant to DLNR for the master plan update. DLNR’s contract with Belt Collins is for $561,526 with planning funds appropriated by the Legislature in the previous biennium (FY07).

For more information about the community scoping meeting, contact Lisa Reinke at (808) 521-5361 or email Kealakekua@beltcollins.com

MEDIA RELEASE

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12 to receive public testimony on a proposed extension of the state Natural Area Reserve System.

The meeting is at the Volcano Cooper Center at 19-4030 Wright Road, Volcano, HI 96785.

The proposed extension of Kahaualea Natural Area Reserve would encompass 5,795 acres of state-owned land that is between and adjacent to the existing Kahaualea Natural Area Reserve and the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in Puna.

The proposed extension is sometimes referred to as “Tract 22.” Inclusion of this area into the Natural Area Reserve System would facilitate management of the native ecosystems found in that region, and strengthen the protection of the areas already protected in the Kahaualea NAR.

The proposed Kahaualea NAR Extension contains a sampling of native ohia-dominated open and closed-canopy plant communities, as well as pioneer vegetation from recent lava flows.

The state created the Natural Area Reserves System, or NARS, to preserve and protect representative samples of Hawaiian biological ecosystems and geological formations.

Three rare and endangered plant species, as well as eight species of native birds are known from the vicinity of the proposed extension of the Kahaualea Natural Area Reserve.

“Many of these are only found in the wet, mauka forests of Hawaii and are perilously close to extinction from the impacts of invasive plants and animals. Because the biological wealth of Hawaii is being depleted so rapidly, the Natural Area Reserves System seeks to protect the best remaining samples of its unique ecosystems,” Thielen said.

Designation of a Natural Area Reserve brings activities in that area under the oversight of the NARS Commission.

Additionally, the redesignation would recognize the area’s extraordinary natural resources, and direct that the area should thus be primarily managed to protect its natural resources.

Any person may testify or present information at the public hearing. Copies of the nomination and a map of the area are available for inspection by contacting Emma Yuen at the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife office, Room 325, 1151 Punchbowl St., Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 or via e-mail at Emma.Yuen@hawaii.gov or online at: hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/nars/Kahaualea1.doc.

Persons unable to attend or wishing to present additional comments, may mail written testimony received no later than Nov. 20, to the Chairperson, attn: Emma Yuen, P.O. Box 621 Honolulu, Hawaii 96809, or via e-mail at dlnr@hawaii.gov.