UPDATE: Due to the ongoing wildfire recovery efforts on Maui, this public hearing has been rescheduled to Thursday, November 2, 2023. A detailed announcement outlining how to participate and provide testimony will be posted to the DAR website once the official public hearing notice is published in the Star Advertiser. The Department of Land and ...
Read More Public hearing notice for proposed adoption of Hawaii Administrative Rules 13-60.11, “Kīpahulu Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area, Maui”

The Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) is working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries on the national marine sanctuary designation process for Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. DAR is providing continuing updates about the sanctuary designation process that began in 2021. A national marine sanctuary would be an additional ...
Read More Update on sanctuary designation for Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) will hold public hearings on the proposed amendment and compilation of Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) chapter 13-74, “License and Permit Provisions and Fees for Fishing, Fish, and Fish Products.” The proposed amendments include: Adding new definitions for “baitfish,” “baitfishing report,” “catch report,” ...
Read More Public hearings scheduled for proposal to amend and compile Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 13-74, “License and Permit Provisions and Fees for Fishing, Fish, and Fish Products”

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) will hold public hearings on the proposed amendment and compilation of Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) chapter 13-95, updating rules for manini, kala, uhu, and pāpa‘i kualoa (Kona crab), establishing rules for kole, and updating the chapter with other various housekeeping amendments. The ...
Read More Public hearings scheduled for proposal to amend fishing regulations for manini, kole, kala, uhu, and pāpaʻi kualoa (Kona crab)

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) will hold public hearings on the proposed adoption of Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) chapter 13-78, establishing provisions for the Ocean Stewardship User Fee. The proposed new chapter will implement §187A-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which requires all operators of commercial vessels, watercrafts, or ...
Read More Public hearings scheduled for proposed adoption of HAR 13-78 implementing the Ocean Stewardship User Fee

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council will hold an in-person meeting (with remote option) on Thursday, May 25 at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Visitor and Community Center. The meeting is open to the public. WHAT: Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting WHEN:    Thursday, ...
Read More Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary to host public meeting

Open season for rainbow trout will begin June 17, 2023 in the Kōke‘e Public Fishing Area (PFA) on Kaua‘i. Anglers may fish daily from June 17 to September 30, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be no lottery this year. Trout are found in streams and ditch systems within the PFA, but fishing ...
Read More Annual rainbow trout season at Kōkeʻe, Kauaʻi opens June 17

On June 27, 2022, Act 207 (SB2065) was signed into law, which prohibited the possession or use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) on, in, or near state marine waters for purposes of fishing. The bill specifies that drones may be used for fishing only if a permit is obtained from the Department of Land and ...
Read More DAR conducting preliminary drone permit survey

Recent news articles have reported that an Oahu Circuit Court lifted an injunction on aquarium fishing off the West side of the island of Hawaii. To clarify, this does not mean that aquarium fishing in Hawaii will immediately resume. Commercial and recreational aquarium collecting remain closed in the West Hawaii Regional Fishery Management Area (WHRFMA). ...
Read More Update on aquarium collecting

The Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) is seeking input into development of a permit system for shark fishing. In June of 2021 House Bill (HB) 553 was signed into law making it illegal for a person to knowingly capture or kill any shark while in state marine waters. While targeting sharks in state waters is ...
Read More DAR requesting input on shark fishing permit system