Question: I was at a North Shore beach where they filmed “Lost” on Friday, April 15, and saw three people riding horses on the beach. The horses deposited three large piles of manure. Is it legal to ride a horse on a beach, and what about leaving behind horse manure?

Answer: It’s not legal.

You are encouraged to report this to the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement at 643-DLNR (643-3567).

DLNR oversees public activities on unencumbered public lands, which include beach and coastal areas, submerged lands and mountainous nonforest reserve, wildlife or park areas not set aside for a government agency or encumbered by lease, permit, license, etc.

Under section 13-221-11 of DLNR’s Administrative Rules regarding animals, it says, “No person shall engage in horseback riding on the beaches.”

It also says, “When so posted, all domestic animal droppings shall be removed and deposited at authorized and designated sites.”

It doesn’t matter whether signs are posted on beaches because horseback riding is not allowed, “therefore there shouldn’t be any droppings on the beach,” said Laura Stevens, education and outreach coordinator for DLNR.

If you call to report a violation and get a voicemail, you are asked to leave information about time, location, description of what happened and any other details.

“The messages help the department note where and when complaints are occurring,” Stevens said. “Complaints can be left anonymously, but if comfortable (leaving your name), it is helpful to have contact information if the officers need any additional information.”

She said the department hasn’t received complaints regarding horses on the beach “for some time.”

Question: We went to Hanauma Bay recently and noticed that the sign near the ticket windows has a picture of Mufi Hannemann as mayor. Why hasn’t it been changed? It should be changed to “Peter Carlisle, Mayor,” ASAP.

Answer: It will be changed “ASAP,” a spokesman for the city Department of Parks and Recreation said, after we pointed out the outdated sign.

Apparently, someone just forgot to take it down.

The new sign will have Carlisle extending the “Aloha and Welcome” greeting to Hanauma Bay visitors.

MAHALO

To everyone at Waimalu Elementary School. Our school had a Japan Tsunami Relief Challenge — grownups vs. students — to see who could raise the most money to donate to the American Red Cross. Together we raised $2,744.46 in two weeks! A big MAHALO to all the students who donated their birthday and piggy bank money, and to the families, staff and Waimalu community for making this a big success. We are putting a call out to other schools to join us in our effort to take care of our world.

— Ty Matsunami and Samuel Okamoto, Waimalu Elementary Student Council