Easter Weekend Parties on Oahu considered Blatant Disrespect and resulted in more restrictions
“Blatant disrespect,” by some people over the Easter Weekend three-day holiday has led to the immediate closing of all Hawai‘i Offshore Islets, which are all State Wildlife Sanctuaries. This includes the popular Mokulua Islets off of Kailua and Lanikai beaches. In addition, the Ahu o Laka (Kaneohe sandbar), is also closing immediately.
DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Officers (DOCARE) report blatant disregard for stay-at-home mandates and physical distancing measures over the weekend. Officers issued 20 warnings to boaters at the He’eia Kea Small Boat Harbor on Easter Sunday for violations of the stay-at-home order. The DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) is closing the He’eia Kea Small Boat Harbor ramp on Tuesday, April 14, 2020.
Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) Chief Jason Redulla said, “Our officers observed dozens of people congregating in close-proximity at Ahu o Laka. These dismissive behaviors are unfortunate and unhealthy and is what led to closing the sandbar under Hawai‘i Administrative Rules (HAR) relating to the closure of State Wildlife Sanctuaries.” The closed area is detailed in the HAR below.
Similar activity was observed on Mokulua North or Moku Nui Islet, a popular destination for kayakers. All of the offshore islets fall under the jurisdiction of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW). DOFAW Administrator David Smith commented, “We’re all are facing unprecedented times and inconvenience to our daily lives and while we encourage people to get outside and into the fresh air, if some folks can’t self-regulate and practice physical distancing, we have no option but to close all offshore islets and potentially other popular outdoor destinations, like trails.”
DLNR Chair Suzanne Case added, “During this COVID-19 crisis we want people to be able to exercise outdoors individually, but not to party and socialize outdoors which they can do at home by phone or online. We realize these extraordinary steps might overtax other public outdoor resources, but we want everyone to realize that we all have to be very serious about stay-at-home and physical distancing orders. The sooner everyone pays attention to the rules, the quicker life can return to normal, including reopening those places that are normally enjoyed by so many people.”
Entering a closed wildlife sanctuary is a petty misdemeanor and if convicted is punishable by both fines and imprisonment. Violations of the Governor’s Emergency Rules are a misdemeanor and punishable by both fines up to $5000 and imprisonment.
