The department said the tradition of burning a pile of Christmas trees in a large bonfire on the sandbar between the Pacific Ocean and Kaneohe Bay off the coast of Oahu island is harmful to the environment and the nearby marine wildlife.
“People haul their trees to [the site] by boat, and burning them is detrimental to the sandbar and the surrounding marine ecosystem,” Hawaii’s environmental law enforcement chief, Jason Redulla, said in the statement.
The sandbar known as Ahu O Laka to many locals is a sacred place, Leialoha “Rocky” Kaluhiwa, president of the Ko’olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, said.
Rudella said the department and law enforcement receive tips about the tree burning basically every year, but it is nearly impossible to track down who was present at the burning of the trees once they are no longer at the He’eia Kea Small Boat Harbor, the harbor where boats that are going to the sandbar depart from.
“Clearly, our officers cannot be everywhere, all the time, and the faster we receive reports about illegal activities, the better chance we have of responding in time to educate violators, and when necessary to cite them. All we ask is for everyone to respect the ‘aina,” Redulla said in the statement.
The sandbar where the tradition occurs is a popular gathering place for local boaters and tourists.
“Unfortunately, we can’t always identify the individuals involved in these illegal and disrespectful activities,” he said.
The slim stretch of reef and sand near a military installation is entirely surrounded by deeper ocean water. It offers views of Oahu’s small offshore islands and a mountain range that rises from the coastline.
“The iwi [remains] of Chief Laka of Maui were brought by his sons and buried there centuries ago,” Kaluhiwa said in the statement. “Once iwi is buried in an area, it is consecrated and considered ‘kapu,’ or sacred to Native Hawaiians.”
Kaluhiwa said Chief Laka is an ancestor to some Native families who live near Kaneohe Bay.
Burning trash in public or in backyards is illegal in Hawaii.
“We strongly discourage anyone from taking their ‘opala [discarded items like Christmas trees] to light bonfires on Ahu O Laka,” Kaluhiwa said.
The state released a video of people burning trees at the sandbar after last Christmas.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
