LIHUE — The state Department of Land and Natural Resources announced today as the opening of this year’s season for plum harvesting at Kokee State Park.

This year’s plum crop happens to be poor.

Permits to harvest are required and will be available starting July 4 at the Kokee Natural History Museum. There is no cost, but forms must be completed and dropped in the box after harvesting. Harvesting is permitted between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. in designated areas.

Each person will be allowed to take up to five pounds of plums per day for personal consumption.

Other conditions will be specified on the plum harvesting permit. A short pole with a net will make harvesting easier.

For years, DLNR has been saying the plum crop in Kokee has been on the decline due to weather, over harvesting and damage to the trees. Prime plum picking was in the 1950’s, and in 2014 DLNR personnel were saying that Kauai hadn’t seen a good crop in more than five years.

The season opens on Independence Day every year.

And while picking the fruit is a cultural staple on the island, the stone fruits aren’t native to the island. The Hawaiian Journal of History says they were brought to Kauai in the 1930’s and planted in areas that later became Kokee State Park.

Plum pickers are reminded to help prevent forest fires and to pick up their litter.

For more information, call the DLNR Division of State Parks office in Lihue at 274-3444.