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DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES News Release LINDA LINGLE GOVERNOR _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PETER T. YOUNG, CHAIRPERSON
Phone: (808) 587-0401
Fax: (808) 587-0390
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For Immediate Release:
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HONOLULU -- A new law will take effect beginning on January 1, 2007, that makes it unlawful for any person to take limu from the ‘Ewa Limu Management Area. The law, Act 293, was signed by Governor Lingle on July 10, 2006. Its purpose is to preserve and sustain the limu supply by establishing a limu management area along the shoreline of ‘Ewa beach on O‘ahu. It amends Chapter 188, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes, by adding a new section that establishes a limu management area from the ‘Ewa shoreline that extends 150 feet seaward from the gunnery range to the boat ramp on Mu‘umu‘u St. “The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) supported this legislation, which was developed over several years with the involvement of the ‘Ewa Beach community in a public process,” said Peter Young. “The community told us that they noticed the limu population of native seaweeds - such as ogo and limu manauea -- was decreasing, due to heavy picking pressure. We worked with these residents to establish a management area and a plan to give the resources a break for several years to regenerate. After that, seasons will be allowed during the year during which limu can be picked. The rest of the year will be a closed season,” said Young. Starting January 1, 2007 the prohibition will be in effect through 2007, 2008, 2009 and the first six months of 2010. Starting at 6 a.m. July 1, 2010, people may once again pick limu, up to one pound per person per day only during the months of July, November, and December of each year. During other months of the year, the prohibition on limu picking will be in effect (closed season). Under the new law, no person, including anyone with a commercial fishing license, shall pick, gather, harvest or otherwise take limu from within the limu management area, starting January 1, 2007. However, a person who has obtained a special permit from DLNR may pick limu for purposes of replanting only. DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources is working with the ‘Ewa community to post signs at ‘Ewa beach to inform the public about the new law. The law is posted on the Division of Aquatic Resources web site at http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/announce.htm
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