DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

News Release

LINDA LINGLE

GOVERNOR

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PETER T. YOUNG, CHAIRPERSON

Phone: (808) 587-0401

Fax: (808) 587-0390

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release: October 26, 2006

DLNR Orders Closure Of Portion Of Kealakekua Bay
And Portion of Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park

HONOLULU -- As a precautionary measure to protect the safety of the public, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) today issued an order that creates ocean and land safety zones within Kealakekua Bay that will be closed to the public.

The order closes public access to the Pali and Kaawaloa flat land sections within the Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park, until DLNR determines that the closed ocean waters and land may be safely reopened for public use.

“The earthquake on October 15, 2006, resulted in a significant landslide at Kealakekua Bay from the Pali (cliffs) at the Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park. The Pali remains unstable – rocks are continuing to fall, threatening lives and property not only in Kealakekua Bay but also at portions of the Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park,” said Peter Young, DLNR chairperson.

On October 17, 2006, the U.S. Coast Guard established an ocean safety zone within Kealakekua Bay, resulting in a temporary closure of portions of the Kealakekua Bay. That order was amended and now covers the same ocean areas as the DLNR order.

DLNR’s closure order is in cooperation with the Coast Guard and extends the closed area to include portions of the ocean, as well as State land.

“As a precautionary measure, DLNR is exercising its authority to close the described ocean safety zone and park land to all public use, including, but not limited to, all vessels, hikers and persons engaging in ocean recreation in the bay and park visitors, until reopened to the public by the department,” Young said.

The boundary of the ocean safety zone shall run land-side of an alignment on the ocean waters of the bay from the Captain Cook Monument to the Hikiau Heiau.

The closed land area at Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park consists of all of Pali o Manuahi above Hikiau and Pali Kapu o Keoua (to the ocean) above the bay to the north and over Kaawaloa, including the face of the cliffs and up to 300 feet inland from the edge of the cliffs, and Kaawaloa Flat.

"We are not closing the entire bay. People and vessels can still enter the water at Napoopoo Landing and use a majority of the bay. However, no one may enter the closed areas nor land at Kaawaloa," Young said.

Persons who enter the ocean safety zone or closed area of the state park are subject to punishment as provided by law.

On October 15, 2006, Governor Linda Lingle issued a proclamation directing all state and county agencies and officers to cooperate and extend their services, materials, and facilities as may be required to assist in all efforts to eliminate danger to the public. DLNR and its officers are authorized to take such action and measures for civil defense and emergency functions as may be necessary.

Hawaii Administrative Rules, section 13-146-4, also authorizes DLNR to close land within the state park system to the public when necessary for the protection of the area or the safety and welfare of persons or property.

Further, Hawaii Administrative Rules, section 13-231-12, authorizes DLNR, when necessary and proper and after reasonable notice, to withdraw the use of any small boat facility as may be reasonable under the circumstances.

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Info: Peter Young, Chairperson DLNR
(808) 587-0401