KAILUA, Hawaii — The Board of Land and Natural Resources approved the temporary closure of the Mokulua islands (commonly known as “the Mokes”) and delegated authority to the chair to temporarily close or restrict the use of wildlife sanctuaries in the future, according to a news release. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Board of Land and Natural Resources granted the DLNR chair the power to temporarily close or restrict the use of wildlife sanctuaries in the future

  • This decision comes after a Hawaiian monk seal gave birth last month on Mokulua Nui and the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife was unable to prohibit people from visiting the wildlife sanctuary

  • DLNR has been worried about human disturbances to the pup and that the Hawaiian monk seal's mother might attack a person in an attempt to defend her pup

This decision comes after a Hawaiian monk seal gave birth last month on Mokulua Nui. The twin Mokulua islets, which are located off of Kailua, are state wildlife sanctuaries and Mokulua Nui is a popular destination for kayakers, prompting concerns about human and seal interactions. 

Monk seal mothers nurse their pups for five to seven weeks. DLNR has been worried about human disturbances to the pup and that the seal's mother might attack a person in an attempt to defend her pup. State and federal law prohibits touching or harassing monk seals. 

“With the new delegation of authority, the DLNR can act quickly to protect endangered species and people’s health and safety, rather than waiting weeks for the next land board meeting,” according to the DLNR news release.

In 2011, the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife requested the chair be given the authority to close or restrict access to wildlife sanctuaries, but the BLNR denied the request at that time. Instead, the Board gave staff the authority to issue permits related to sanctuary regulations. DLNR said in the news release that this was helpful, but it lacked expediency to respond to urgent wildlife or safety issues as they were still required to wait until the next board meeting to act. 

In June, after a monk seal pup was born on Mokulua Nui, DOFAW suspended all Mokulua Islet Commercial Landing Permits and prohibited people from landing at the beach at Mokulua Nui. However, DOFAW could only discourage people from landing on other parts of Mokulua Nui. 

The Board’s recent decision requires DOFAW to follow up to seek timely approval from the BLNR in order to keep a temporary closure or access restriction to a wildlife sanctuary in place after the initial closure.  

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.

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