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<br /> <br />Clayton S. Honma <br />William P. Kenoi <br />Director <br />Mayor <br /> <br />Robert A. Fitzgerald <br />Deputy Director <br /> <br /> <br />DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION <br /> <br />101 Pauahi Street, Suite 6 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 <br /> <br />(808) 961-8311 Fax (808) 961-8411 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />NEWS RELEASE <br />November 13, 2013 <br />FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <br /> <br />Birth of Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal Prompts Early <br />Closure of Keōkea Beach Park <br /> <br />North Kohala’s Keōkea Beach Park is being closed at 7:30 p.m. nightly to protect an <br />endangered Hawaiian monk seal and its mother. <br /> <br />The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, asked the <br />Department of Parks and Recreation to implement the early closure after the new pup <br />was born at the park. <br /> <br />Both NOAA and the Department of Parks and Recreation ask the public to keep their <br />distance from the Hawaiian monk seals, which are protected under both federal and <br />state laws. Anyone who intentionally harasses, harms or kills a Hawaiian monk seal <br />could be fined up to $50,000 and ordered to serve a five-year prison sentence. <br /> <br />New permits for use of Keōkea Beach Park’s pavilions will list a 7 p.m. closing time to <br />give patrons enough time to vacate. The park will continue to be closed at 7:30 p.m. <br />until further notice. <br /> <br />The Department of Parks and Recreation apologizes for any inconvenience the <br />shortened hours may cause and thanks park users and the general public for <br />understanding the need to protect one of Hawaii’s most unique and loved animals. <br /> <br />For more information, please contact Jason Armstrong, Public Information Officer, <br />at 345-9105, or jarmstrong@co.hawaii.hi.us. <br /> <br /> <br />-30- <br /> <br />County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />