Sanctuary protection is proposed for island - Hawaii News

Hats off to the State Conservation Officers and Senator Clayton Hee for doing their job and service, and making the commitment to do something about it.

The rubbish maker(s) that went on the island for make any kind, desecrate that moku, completely ignorant of such great harm them, and their dog(s) did to the habitat of the endangered Shearwater birds---YOU, no more class.

Get people who know who did this.

If DLNR is going to hold public meetings on this matter, then that means the decision has already been made to make the island a sanctuary and to implement these rules. The public meetings are window dressing and no matter what the public may say at these meetings, the decision has been made, for better or for worse.

Hire more DLNR officers or allow more volunteers to take care of areas like this. No matter the rules if they cannot be enforced. DLNR needs to open up spots for non-firearm carrying officers to aid enforcing these rules.
Look at any local based outdoorsman forum and you'll find posts regarding the witnessing of people blatantly breaking rules and damaging the local flora and fauna. Discussions where things were reported to DLNR but were either too late, not followed up on, or disregarded.
So DLNR.. go ahead make the rules, but at least enforce them. Get plenty volunteers that would help be your eyes and ears, you should utilize that resource.

Flexo wrote:

If DLNR is going to hold public meetings on this matter, then that means the decision has already been made to make the island a sanctuary and to implement these rules. The public meetings are window dressing and no matter what the public may say at these meetings, the decision has been made, for better or for worse.

Window dressing or not, rules are needed for that island as well as all islands off-shore. these idiots are LIVING there and that should not be allowed. Set rules and issue permits to go to the island if it will be for more than just the day to fish.

Kap wrote:

Hire more DLNR officers or allow more volunteers to take care of areas like this. No matter the rules if they cannot be enforced. DLNR needs to open up spots for non-firearm carrying officers to aid enforcing these rules.
Look at any local based outdoorsman forum and you'll find posts regarding the witnessing of people blatantly breaking rules and damaging the local flora and fauna. Discussions where things were reported to DLNR but were either too late, not followed up on, or disregarded.
So DLNR.. go ahead make the rules, but at least enforce them. Get plenty volunteers that would help be your eyes and ears, you should utilize that resource.

I totally agree! I have proposed volunteers for other areas that DLNR manages and have yet to here from them about it. Diamond Head and Makapuu lookouts are other areas besides the off-shore islands. I noticed that Twogood Kayaks is taking tours to Flat Island off Kailua Beach. That should also be regulated.

The campsite was a group of squatters that have been there at least since this summer. They were in the process of messing up Kapapa since then, or before.

A longtime local family goes there often and cleans up what they can. They've been stewards of the island for decades.

Also, a local fishing club that was founded on that island back in 1926 goes there and also does what it can to keep the island in good condition. Both the family and the fishing club take care to avoid disturbing the birds.

It's not fishermen who are fouling up Kapapa. It's squatters who are being allowed to stay there for months. DLNR needs to step up enforcement so that people who care for the land and surrounding sea can continue to enjoy it.

Only takes a few rotten types to foul things up for everyone else.

and while you guys are at it add the sand bar too.

What are the regulations governing the island and who enforces? Is this another failure of DLNR that they will try to cover up by blaming fishermen? Do the public process and enforcement will be easier. If not, go back to your offices and do nothing, the effect will be the same. There are regulations for Flat island in Kailua. It's a bird sanctuary. There should not be any guided tours to flat Island.

Malama Aina: thank you Pinky. Thank you Uncle Clayton.
Keep human beings off da land. Put Bishop Estate in charge of all land of the kingdom......Who is the cute new news girl reporting the story?

My family had been going there for generations. Ulua fishing club members were part of the mix.As a young boy I had a great time there.The birds were always there and at night they provided a ghostly sound.The night sky was spectacular! I can remember though before we left there was a group cleanup. We all had to do our part. It looks like thats not the case with some poeple and now they have ruined it for everyone else.Do whatever it takes to protect this beautiful island. It provided a lot of good memories.

CMK wrote:

What are the regulations governing the island and who enforces? Is this another failure of DLNR that they will try to cover up by blaming fishermen? Do the public process and enforcement will be easier. If not, go back to your offices and do nothing, the effect will be the same. There are regulations for Flat island in Kailua. It's a bird sanctuary. There should not be any guided tours to flat Island.

People just don't get it, these birds are protected under one of the strictest federal laws ie The Migratory Bird Act, we need to start prosecuting and throwing the book at dog owners and others who blatantly break the law. Look what happened on Maui a few days ago, some jail time in a federal facility would be a wake up call for some of these people. No wonder Hawaii has the distinction of having the highest extinction rate in the world!

Right on! The shearwaters are vanishing all too quickly from our shores due to human activity.

Mokuauia (Goat Island) is also home to the shearwater and is a bird sanctuary. This designation has done some good to preserve the island but more protection may be needed. At one point Mokuauia was put on local tour maps as a clothing optional beach which offended some area residents but attracted some of us local boys to check out the "birds" on shore. As a lifetime island resident, I find it difficult to watch our secret spots trampled under foot by some of us or our guests. This is a good proposal and I hope it goes through without negatively impacting the fisherman, who I'm sure you know, count on the birds to find the fish.

The rule changes for wildlife sanctuary is mainly used to legalize the existing commercial activities on the two seabird sanctuaries in Kailua bay, which were unregulated till today.

Offshore Islet Restoration Committee (ORIC), which includes the two kayak tour operators in Kailua, as well as DOFAW is behind the rule change. The user fees collected will eventually flow back to fund OIRC.

Kapapa and Goat Island across Malaekahana were also included on the list of 4 offshore islets that will allow commercial activities. It's unfortunate that Kapapa was used to distract public attention from their real agenda.

If interested, see the news release from OIRC below,
http://www.hawaiioirc.org/OIRC-ABOUTUS/OIRC-P...

The system used to generate funding for OIRC are exactly the same to what were proposed in the new wildlife sanctuary rules.