Three park rangers recently joined the Department of Parks and Recreation staff, bringing the total number of county park rangers to seven.

Wendell Bandmann, Ray Oritz and Eric Rita were hired in December to assist the parks department with oversight of the county park system including Ke Ala Hele Makalae, the multi-use coastal path.

"Our county parks are natural resources that need to be preserved and protected," said Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. "Having additional enforcement staff will make it possible for us to closely monitor proper usage of our parks and Ke ala Hele Makalae so that we and generations to come can enjoy these resources."