As parks, beaches reopen, Hawaii reminds people to continue social distancing, do not disturb wildlife

Diamond Head State Monument (crater and summit) next to Waikiki is not among the parks scheduled to reopen this week. However, the Fort Ruger natural pathway on the mountain’s exterior is open to the public. (Screenshot footage by Desiree Acenas)

 

By Alfred Acenas
EBC Hawaii Bureau

HONOLULU (Eagle News) – The State Parks division of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is re-opening select parks and monuments this week with an emphasis on social distancing and exercise, as well as continued restrictions on gatherings of any sort, as efforts continue to prevent further spread of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

The announcement is in line with Governor David Ige’s emergency mandates, as well as advice from the Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH).

“In general, it’s a good idea to help with people’s mental well-being. The fact that these are outdoor/open-air spaces with good ventilation means any risk of transmission will be greatly decreased,” said DOH State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park. “That said, a few of these do have lookout points or are trails that may not be wide enough at some points to accommodate 6 feet [2 meter] distance, so it will be important to remind people to keep moving and not congregate.”

Division of State Parks Administrator Curt Cottrell added, “It is critical that people honor this intent and follow all social distancing practices and park area closures to eliminate gathering. State Parks strongly encourages residents stay within their own ahupua’a and neighborhoods rather than traveling across an island to another community’s remote State Park. Revenue losses require that certain gates remain closed. Inappropriate behavior and changing public health circumstances may require that certain parks be closed again, such as what has recently occurred at some parks on the mainland.”

For the past six weeks, monk seals, green sea turtles and other marine animals that frequent Hawaii’s shores have largely had the beaches to themselves. Park managers and aquatic biologists are reminding visitors to be respectful of the places that are shared with marine creatures and other wildlife.

“We’re excited people will once again get out, visit, and experience these open spaces and the wildlife that utilize these areas,” stated DLNR Chairwoman Suzanne Case. “It is important to remember that these lands are preserved for cultural, aesthetic, and ecological purposes; and as such have specific rules in place in hopes of maintaining these spaces for times like these as well as for future generations.”

DLNR further cautions that, as people begin to use of parks more, monk seals and sea turtles may be less wary of approaching humans and be easily spooked from their habitats. With limited presence of volunteers during this time, there may also be fewer visual barriers on beaches, making visitors more likely to stumble upon such animals. This includes mother-and-pup pairs as Hawaii is currently in the middle of monk seal pupping season. It is important to give the mother and nursing pups extra-wide berth during this critical stage, both for the protection of the pup and for human safety around protective mother seals.

There have been multiple incidents involving interactions between off-leash dogs and monk seals over the past few days. Handlers must keep the their dogs on the leash at all times, especially along the shorelines. Interactions between dogs and monk seals can lead to both animals being injured.

If a monk seal or sea turtle is spotted, or if there is any unusual behavior either with the animals or people interacting with them, witnesses are asked to immediately call the Statewide Marine Animal Hotline at 1-888-256-9840 so that a trained wildlife officer can assess the situation.

 

(Eagle News Service)