The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has delayed the eviction of six families from the 'Ahupua'a O Kahana Valley State Park to give the residents more time to prepare for the move.

Laura H. Thielen, DLNR director, said in an e-mail announcement today that the state will bring in transition service providers to help with the move.

"We will not move forward with any eviction this week," Thielen said, adding that she will seek a meeting with the six families. "I strongly encourage the families to take advantage of the service providers we are bringing to assist ..."

The families were ordered to vacate the park by 6 a.m. Monday.

That deadline came and went, and dozens of people were prepared to fend off an eviction today at Kahana Valley and continue to protest the department's action by threatening to block the entrance to the valley and hold signs.