North Kohala’s Keokea Beach Park will close at 7:30 p.m. nightly to protect an endangered Hawaiian monk seal pup and its mother.
North Kohala’s Keokea Beach Park will close at 7:30 p.m. nightly to protect an endangered Hawaiian monk seal pup and its mother.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration requested the department implement the early closure after the new pup was born at the park.
Both NOAA and the department ask the public to keep a distance from the Hawaiian monk seals, which are protected by both federal and state laws. Anyone who intentionally harasses, harms or kills a Hawaiian monk seal could be fined up to $50,000 and ordered to serve a five-year prison sentence.
New permits for Keokea Beach Park’s pavilions will list a 7 p.m. closing time to give users enough ample time to leave. The park will continue to be closed at 7:30 p.m. until further notice.