Three new laws increase fines and raise penalties against people who damage Hawai'i's environment.

Gov. Linda Lingle says the measures encourage people to respect natural resources while taking personal responsibility to be stewards of the environment. She signed the bills into law today.

One measure doubles civil fines for trespassing or engaging in prohibited uses of public lands. The maximum fine has increased to a maximum of $4,000 per day.

Another bill increases fines to $15,000 per day for Conservation District violations.

The third law brings criminal penalties up to 30 days in jail and civil fines up to $2,000 for harming public property through activities including harvesting coral, growing illegal substances or grading without a permit.