Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the 2020 Trout Season at Kōke‘e Public Fishing Area on Kauaʻi opened via a lottery system, which allowed fishing to take place while adhering to Department of Health guidance on gatherings and physical distancing. This system helped to curb initial crowds at Pu‘u Lua reservoir. Assigned lottery sessions will be finished on ...
Read More Open season for rainbow trout at Kōke‘e, Kaua‘i (without lottery) starts July 13

The Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) is pleased to announce the opening of the 2020 Rainbow Trout Fishing Season at Puʻu Lua Reservoir in the Kōke‘e Public Fishing Area on Kauaʻi. To address COVID-19 concerns and accommodate social distancing, a lottery system is being used to control entry. Anglers will be able to access the reservoir ...
Read More 2020 rainbow trout fishing season at Kōkeʻe opens June 20 with lottery system

Updated June 12, 2020 The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) recently passed by Congress includes an allocation of $300 million for fisheries assistance. The funding is to tribes, territories, and states, including Hawai‘i, with coastal and marine resources. DAR is responsible for developing a spend plan for Hawai‘i’s portion of the ...
Read More Update on CARES Act funding for Hawai‘i’s commercial fishing industry – June 12

Due to current COVID-19 public health and safety concerns, the 2020 Kaua‘i rainbow trout fishing season at Pu‘u Lua Reservoir, Koke‘e Public Fishing Area, is postponed indefinitely. Criteria for determining how and when the 2020 trout fishing season occurs will follow State of Hawai‘i and Kaua‘i County guidelines, and the ability to provide an event ...
Read More Rainbow trout season on Kaua‘i postponed

    UPDATE: 3/13/20 – Public Hearing Postponed (attached news release)     The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold Public Hearings on the proposed adoption of a new chapter under the Hawaii Administrative Rules to establish the Moomomi Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area (CBSFA) to manage and protect fish stocks and to ...
Read More Statewide hearings scheduled for proposed adoption of rule establishing Mo‘omomi Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area, Moloka‘i (Postponed)

DAR has produced a new 16-page brochure highlighting some of the important projects the Division is conducting to fulfill its mission of working “with the people of Hawai‘i to manage, conserve and restore the state’s unique aquatic resources for present and future generations.” The brochure, titled “Mauka to Makai”, was published December 2019 and will ...
Read More “Mauka to Makai” brochure highlights DAR projects

In an effort to facilitate compliance with the rules regulating the take, possession, and sale of lobsters, Kona crabs, and Samoan crabs in State waters, the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) has scheduled public hearings this month. Currently, these species are regulated under statute as well as multiple administrative rule chapters. The proposed consolidation will ...
Read More Statewide hearings scheduled for proposed updates to rules pertaining to lobster, Kona crabs, and Samoan crabs

Hawaiian waters are experiencing their third widespread coral bleaching event since 2014, and the Division of Aquatic Resources is asking ocean users to take specific steps to help reduce its severity. Division staff are distributing cards to dive shops statewide with tips on how to help our reefs. They include: Let fish protect reefs – ...
Read More Warming ocean brings coral bleaching back to Hawaiian waters

Four of the 12 Bottomfish Restricted Fishing Areas (BRFAs) around the state are scheduled to re-open to Deep-7 bottomfish fishing on July 1, 2019.  They include BRFA C (Makahū‘ena, Kaua‘i), BRFA F (Penguin Banks), BRFA J (Mokumana-Umalei Pt, Maui), and BRFA L (Leleiwi Pt, Hawai‘i Island). (See map.) Non-commercial fishers are still limited to taking ...
Read More Four Bottomfish Restricted Fishing Areas will re-open July 1

Open season for rainbow trout will begin June 15, 2019 in the Kōke‘e Public Fishing Area (PFA) on Kaua‘i. Anglers may fish daily from June 15 to September 30, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Trout are found in streams and ditch systems within the PFA, but fishing success has been poor there due to ...
Read More Annual rainbow trout season at Kōkeʻe, Kauaʻi opens June 15