HEEIA, Hawaii — The state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement is reminding the public that it is illegal to burn Christmas trees at Ahu O Laka, also known as the Kaneohe Bay sandbar. 

What You Need To Know

  • DOCARE maintains a zero-tolerance policy on tree burning at the site and violators are subject to citation or arrest

  • In 2021, photos were posted to social media sites showing large gatherings of people at the sandbar standing shoulder-to-shoulder without masks (in violation of COVID-19 mandates in effect at the time) with tree-fueled fires burning in the background

  • Education and outreach efforts have been effective in preventing further incidents, but DOCARE and other concerned parties remain wary

  • DOCARE asks that anyone who witnesses natural or cultural resources violations call 808-643-3567 or file a report via the free DLNR Tip app available for both iPhone and Android users

“Ahu O Laka is sacred to Hawaiians, so this activity is clearly disrespectful and it’s illegal under state law,” said DOCARE chief Jason Redulla. “Add on the destruction these fires cause to both our ocean and terrestrial natural resources, and it is just wrong on all fronts.”

DOCARE maintains a zero-tolerance policy on tree burning at the site and violators are subject to citation or arrest.

In 2021, photos were posted to social media sites showing large gatherings of people at the sandbar standing shoulder-to-shoulder without masks (in violation of COVID-19 mandates in effect at the time) with tree-fueled fires burning in the background. 

Education and outreach efforts have been effective in preventing further incidents, but DOCARE and other concerned parties remain wary.

"Ahu o Laka is a sacred place," said Leialoha "Rocky" Kaluhiwa, president of the Koolaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club. "The iwi (remains) of Chief Laka of Maui were brought by his sons and buried there centuries ago. Once iwi is buried in an area, it is consecrated and considered kapu, or sacred to Native Hawaiians. We strongly discourage anyone from taking their opala (discarded items like Christmas trees) to light bonfires on Ahu o Laka." 

DOCARE asks that anyone who witnesses natural or cultural resources violations call 808-643-3567 or file a report via the free DLNR Tip app available for both iPhone and Android users.

“Clearly, our officers cannot be everywhere, all the time, and the faster we receive reports about illegal activities, the better chance we have of responding in time to educate violators, and when necessary, to cite them,” Redulla said. “All we ask is for everyone to respect the aina."

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii.