‘Opihi Poacher Banned from Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District After Illegal Collecting

by Thunda
2 minutes read

HONOLULU – In a precedent-setting decision, the Hawaiʻi Environmental Court has barred 55-year-old Armando Posadas of ʻEwa Beach from entering the Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD) on Oʻahu’s North Shore for six months. This “geographic restriction” is a novel addition to a sentence for violating environmental protection laws.

Posadas was sentenced yesterday, June 3, 2025, on charges stemming from illegally collecting 55 ‘opihi from the Pūpūkea MLCD on March 26, 2025. The Pūpūkea MLCD is one of eleven such districts across Hawaiʻi, designated to provide the highest level of protection for aquatic life.

Posadas accepted a plea deal that includes the six-month geographic ban, a $1,000 fine, forfeiture of his equipment, and six months’ probation. He must provide proof of compliance with all terms by November 18, 2025. The offense is classified as a petty misdemeanor, which can carry penalties of up to 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Denise Antolini, chairperson of Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea, a community organization dedicated to protecting the MLCD, expressed gratitude for the court’s stance. “Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea is grateful to the Department of the Attorney General Criminal Justice Division and DOCARE for their vigilant enforcement of the laws that protect the precious marine life of the Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District,” Antolini stated. She added that “The substantial fines and conditions imposed yesterday by the Hawaiʻi Environmental Court in the Posadas case, as well as two additional MLCD cases that involved illegal fishing and/or harvesting of ʻopihi in this state-protected marine reserve, show that these cases are being taken seriously by law enforcement and the courts.”

Another individual, Elmer Ceredon, was cited alongside Posadas on March 26, 2025, for allegedly taking 203 ‘opihi from the same MLCD. Ceredon has yet to stand trial.

DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla emphasized the importance of MLCDs. “Under state law, Marine Life Conservation Districts enjoy the greatest level of protections for their unique and outstanding aquatic resources,” Redulla said. “We’re pleased with the dispositions in all these cases and hope this sends a strong message to the defendants and their circle of fishers that we take respect for the law in MLCDs seriously.”

The public is urged to report any suspected resource violations by calling the 24-hour DOCARE Hotline at 643-DLNR (3567) or by using the DLNRTip app.

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