A new law prohibits property owners from using vegetation to block access to Hawaii beaches.

Gov. Linda Lingle signed the measure, HB 1808, last week.

It requires the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to maintain beach transit corridors by prohibiting landowners from using plants to interfere with those paths.

Notices will be given to property owners adjacent to the corridors if vegetation from their properties blocks access to the shoreline.

The department can enforce the law if the vegetation is not cleared within 21 days.