Forestry and Wildlife Division (DLNR)

Forestry and Wildlife Division (DLNR)
Name	Forestry and Wildlife Division (DLNR)
Jurisdiction	Hawaii
Headquarters	Honolulu
Parent agency	Department of Land and Natural Resources (Hawaii)

Forestry and Wildlife Division (DLNR) is a state agency within the Department of Land and Natural Resources (Hawaii) responsible for managing forested lands, native and introduced wildlife, and related public resources across Hawaii (island), Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and the Hawaiian Islands. It implements conservation measures, wildfire response, invasive species control, and habitat restoration in coordination with federal, state, and local partners such as the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and the University of Hawaii. The Division navigates statutory frameworks including the Hawaii Revised Statutes and collaborates with cultural organizations like the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

History

The Division traces roots to territorial forestry efforts during the early 20th century when entities such as the Division of Forestry and Wildlife predated statehood and coordinated with federal programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Territorial Land Board. Post‑statehood, evolving environmental laws including the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and state enactments shaped its remit alongside landmark events such as the establishment of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the expansion of marine management exemplified by the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Partnerships with research institutions including the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology and the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute influenced restoration and resource planning. Over decades the Division has responded to crises from invasive species introductions like Miconia calvescens and Coqui frog to catastrophic wildfires in regions near Leilani Estates and Kiholo Bay.

Organization and Programs

The Division is structured into field offices and specialized units mirroring models used by agencies such as the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Key programs include native species recovery modeled with input from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration restoration frameworks, watershed protection aligned with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary initiatives, and community outreach similar to efforts by the Sierra Club and The Nature Conservancy. Administrative coordination occurs with the Hawaii State Legislature, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and county departments like the City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation. Grant and funding relationships involve the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grants, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and foundations such as the McKnight Foundation.

Wildlife and Habitat Management

The Division manages habitats for listed taxa including species protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 such as the Hawaiian monk seal, Nēnē, and various Hawaiian honeycreepers like the ʻōʻō and ʻAlalā. Programs coordinate with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recovery plans, Hawaii Department of Health invasive species surveillance, and local cultural practitioners from organizations such as the Kamehameha Schools. Management tools include invasive mammal control modeled after techniques used by the Department of Conservation (New Zealand), native plant propagation in partnership with the National Tropical Botanical Garden, and marine‑linked habitat protections that interface with the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument policies. Landscape‑scale conservation engages stakeholders from Civil Beat reporting to community groups like the Aina Ulu Coalition.

Forestry Operations and Fire Management

Operationally the Division conducts forest inventory, reforestation, watershed protection, and wildfire suppression. Fire management strategies draw on interoperability with the National Interagency Fire Center, mutual aid with the County of Hawai'i Fire Department, and training protocols used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Fuel reduction and prescribed burn programs are informed by research from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and collaborations with the National Park Service at Haleakalā National Park and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Infrastructure—ranger stations, lookout towers, and heavy equipment—are maintained in coordination with the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and county emergency services.

Law Enforcement and Regulatory Authority

Enforcement responsibilities include statutes under the Hawaii Revised Statutes covering hunting, species protection, and trespass on public forest reserves; field officers liaise with the Hawaii State Police, United States Fish and Wildlife Service law enforcement, and county police departments. The Division issues permits and administers regulatory programs in alignment with decisions from the Hawaii State Supreme Court on resource access and customary rights, and cooperates with federal law through instruments such as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and marine protection designations like the Monument Management Plan for Papahānaumokuākea.

Research, Monitoring, and Partnerships

Research and monitoring are conducted with academic partners including the University of Hawaii System, Hawaii Pacific University, and the East-West Center, and with federal laboratories such as the Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office. Long‑term monitoring ties into programs run by the National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Program, remnant forest research at the National Tropical Botanical Garden, and climate modeling with the Pacific Islands Climate Change Cooperative. Collaborative projects involve nonprofits including The Nature Conservancy, Conservation International, and local land trusts like the Hawai‘i Land Trust, as well as international knowledge exchange with entities such as the Department of Conservation (New Zealand) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.

Category:State agencies of Hawaii Category:Forestry agencies Category:Wildlife conservation organizations