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DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES News Release LINDA LINGLE GOVERNOR _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LAURA H. THIELEN, CHAIRPERSON
Phone: (808) 587-0401
Fax: (808) 587-0390
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For Immediate Release:
November 1,
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HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has opened the Kuaokala game management area (GMA) and Makua-Kea‘au public hunting area (PHA) for the scheduled 2007 game bird hunting season, which begins Saturday November 3, 2007. The Kuaokala game management area will be opened to Kealia Trail. Any activity beyond the Kealia Trail in the Mokule‘ia forest reserve is off-limits. There will be no camping, hiking, or 4 wheel-driving permitted in the Mokule‘ia forest reserve. DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) O‘ahu branch is advising hunters to exercise extreme caution when entering these areas during bird season in the Kuaokala GMA and Makua-Kea‘au PHA. Fire hazard in these areas is still a threat due to current drought-like conditions. "We understand the significance of opening day of bird hunting season and the effect it would have on one of our programs should the season be cancelled. By pre-positioning fire vehicles and equipment, we are able to mitigate the possibility of any fires that could occur in the area. Hunters are advised to remain cautious," said Paul Conry, DOFAW administrator. DLNR declared the fire in the Kuaokala Forest Reserve – which restarted last week -- to be extinguished and controlled as of noon Tuesday. Firefighters remained on watch that day until 3 p.m. DLNR personnel from the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement will be in the area to closely monitor and check hunter activity. The following forest reserves, which were closed by DLNR on October 25, remain closed to public activities: Kuaokala, Mokule‘ia, Wai‘anae, Wai‘anae Kai and Nanakuli Forest Reserves. For information on forest reserve areas that remain closed, and the bird hunt in the game management areas, call the DOFAW O‘ahu baseyard at 973-9785. These lands exclude areas along the beach.
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