History of Fish and Game in Hawaiʻi

The “Division of Fish and Game” as an organization was established in 1927 but its roots extend back much further in the history of Hawaii. The “kapu” system of the early Hawaiians was a kind of conservation although it was primarily designed to reserve resources for the alii. With the coming of Eastern and Western man in the 1700’s and 1800’s the old Hawaiian customs were replaced with modern methods of harvesting both fish and game species. Many of these techniques were destructive and wasteful of these resources. Queen Liliuokalani in 1892 signed laws prohibiting the use of explosives for taking fish, killing certain birds beneficial to agriculture and raising the mongoose in captivity.

Also, in 1892 a Bureau of Agriculture and Forestry was established which was primarily concerned with animals as they related, for good or bad, to agriculture. Thirty-five District foresters were commissioned as “Special Territorial Police Officers” to enforce laws concerning hunting and the protection of beneficial bird life. This was the precursor to our modern game warden system. Violations were subject to a $10.00 fine for each offense plus $50 for each bird killed or two weeks in jail.

In 1908, Governor Frear appointed a “Territorial Conservation Commission of Hawaii” which was to investigate the natural resources of the Territory and recommend wise development and use–the beginning of a true conservation program in the Islands. Act 214 of 1917 protected bird, animal and vegetable life on several islands off Oahu and Molokai and gave the responsibility to the Division of Forestry. Thus began the system of wildlife sanctuaries and refuges we have today.

The Territorial legislature of 1927 abolished the Fish and Game Commission and on July 1, 1927 the Division of Fish and Game was established under the Board of Agriculture and Forestry. The mission then was to provide law enforcement, expand the importation program for shellfish and fish, develop the game farm to increase game bird distribution and experiment with mullet production at the Mokapu facility.

In 1932, 33,000 young trout were stocked in streams on Hawaii, Maui, Oahu and Kauai. Experiments with clams and oysters received from the mainland and the Orient began with an eye to stocking them in marine waters.

The Samoan crab was introduced into waters off Hilo and Molokai and by 1932-1934 management began with the establishment of 6 months open season.

During these years, a small number of Axis deer were transplanted from Molokai to Maui to attempt establishment there. The depression period of the early 1930s created a demand for meat and the animal eradication program in the forest reserves was liberalized to include the public by issuing special hunting permits. An average of 30,000 pigs, sheep, goats, horses, cows, donkeys and deer were killed each year during the ten-year period, under the supervision of the Division of Forestry. The Director of the Division of Fish and Game recommended that the game farm approach to game management be dropped and that the State adopt a more scientific approach.

The Warden service was revamped and revitalized with new training programs and a reorganization was implemented to decentralize the unit. Wardens were first authorized to sell hunting licenses in 1946 and six new enforcement officers were added in 1948. New laws and regulations were established during the 1940s regulating the taking of fish in canals, controlling bait fish harvests, creating seabird sanctuaries off Oahu, and regulating the harvest of game birds. Fisheries research and management activities accelerated during the post-war period as well. In the late 1950s establishment of several new species of pheasant, quail, partridge and francolins was attempted on public areas on all islands for hunting purposes. European bighorn sheep (mouflon) were liberated on the Na Pali Coast on Kauai and on Lanai and a hybridization experiment to see whether this species could be crossed with the feral sheep began on Hawaii in 1957.

In addition to law enforcement responsibilities, the game warden staff participated in the wildlife and fisheries programs by assisting in the collection of biological and fishermen and hunter use data. Modernization of the warden service continued and standardized uniforms were used for the first time during this period. New regulations were passed regarding minimum size for fish nets and traps; the protection of newly imported sea life and game species; size limits on octopus; harvesting ulua, papio, omilu, moi-lii, oama, lobster and nehu and the protection of abalone. During the period, all Division of Fish and Game rules and regulations were brought up to date.

The 1960s saw the beginnings of a deputy warden training program to extend law enforcement coverage and efficiency, Statewide. During the period 1960-1961 98 deputies received formal training and were added to the enforcement staff. Act 265 of the 1967 session of the Legislature gave authority to the enforcement officers to issue citations for violations of the fishing and hunting laws which expedited law enforcement efforts considerably. A marine enforcement program was initiated which permitted the staff to cover offshore areas more adequately.

Two new patrol boats including the “Malama Kai” were purchased, and the marine unit personnel were given SCUBA training. Public information efforts were emphasized along with strict law enforcement activities with the hope that an educational approach would help minimize infractions of the laws and regulations.

In 1978, Act 171 replaced Fish and Game’s enforcement applications within the different Divisions where they were consolidated within a single division, DOCARE. DOCARE becomes the primary law enforcement arm for the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Shortly after, in 1981, a central dispatch was created to field natural resources violations 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The general public can now call into a hotline to report violations. DOCARE also, to enhance their firearms program DOCARE registered their instructors in the National Rifle Associations (NRA) (44) hours of Advanced Firearms Instructors Course. In 1982 DOCARE participates in joint operations with Federal, State, and County agencies for marijuana eradication missions. In 1991-1992, DOCARE upgraded the issued duty firearms for the Officers from the S&W .38 caliber special to the GLOCK, .40 caliber, model 22. Uniforms move from a Khaki color, to a denim Chambray. Several years later in 2005, CREOs wear all blue BDU and utility style uniform.

In 2008, DOCARE transitions to the standard White pickup truck patrol vehicle with the standardized DOCARE Badge. In 2010, DOCARE certifies and implements a training program for DOCARE Patrol Watercrafts, also best known as jet skis for patrol use. Vessels and PWCs are used during major water events, to in include Ahu o Laka (sandbar), Floatilllas, and boater safety inspections.

In 2016, DOCARE receives funding and approval from the Hawaii State legislature for an entry level academy program. In 2018, DOCARE conducts a lateral officer academy for six law enforcement officers with previous LEO experience. This would be a primer for a 2020 entry level academy. A field training program was also implemented utilizing the San Jose model for FTOʻs. In 2020 12 entry level recruits would attend DOCAREʻs first ever Academy Program consisting of a seven-month program for basic law enforcement recruits, in partnership with Honolulu Community College Administrative Justice Program. In the following years, two more recruit classes would see the divisions la rgest hiring in 2022 with 42 recruit officers and in 2024 with 24 new officers.

In 2025 DOCARE transitions to an Olive Drab Green uniform to mirroring natural resources officers nationwide.