LIHU‘E — The Department of Land and Natural Resources announced it will be strictly enforcing state parks rules, including those that prohibit dogs on the beach, in a news release Tuesday. “Summer season will mean more families hitting the beaches
LIHU‘E — The Department of Land and Natural Resources announced it will be strictly enforcing state parks rules, including those that prohibit dogs on the beach, in a news release Tuesday.
“Summer season will mean more families hitting the beaches and we want everyone to be safe. This is a reminder that pets — including dogs — are not allowed on state park beaches,” DLNR Chairperson William J. Aila, Jr. states in the release.
State Parks rules state that no person shall enter a park with dogs, cats and other animals unless they are crated, caged, on a leash which shall not exceed six feet in length, or otherwise under physical restrictive control at all times; unless posted signs state that animals are not allowed. State Park rules also state that no person shall enter public eating places, food stores, designated swimming areas or beaches with animals. This rule does not apply to service animals accompanying their handlers.
Following citizen complaints, DLNR conducted a large scale enforcement sweep at Polihale State Park beach on May 19, to reinforce state parks rules. Four citations were issued to owners for allowing their dogs to be unleashed on the beach, which is a petty misdemeanor offense under Hawai‘i Administrative Rules. Fines range from $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second offense and $500 for a third or subsequent offense.
Officers also issued numerous warnings and educated park users on other state park rules concerning prohibition and use/possession of alcohol, intoxication and drug incapacitation, no camping, no fires and no animals on the beach.
For more information on State Parks rules go to http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parkrules.
