Division of Forestry and Wildlife

We have a lot to celebrate with you

2023 marks a number of important anniversaries for Hawaiʻi’s forests and conservation programs. Click below to visit the website of each program and learn more about their work. Read below for the story of the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, or jump lower on this page to explore historical photos and find additional 2023 anniversaries for Natural Area Reserves, Kaulunani, Nā Ala Hele, and more.

120 Years: The Division of Forestry & Wildlife

Our division began with the Forestry Act of 1903, which created the Board of Agriculture and Forestry and established the Forest Reserves System. Then called the Division of Forestry, early work focused on establishing reserves for the protection of water resources. Landscapes denuded by invasive ungulates were reforested through intensive efforts in the early 1900s, including work done by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Some of the goals and functions of that era remain today, including a focus on outplanting and fencing, and an understanding that forests are our only source of fresh water. Some practices have changed, in particular the use of fast-growing, non-native plant species in forest restoration. As our understanding of ecology and invasive species has changed over the years since the early 1900s, so to have our management practices.

The Division of Forestry has gone through many organizational changes. In 1960 it became part of the Department of Agriculture and Conservation, and in 1961 was transferred to the new Department of Land and Natural Resources. In 1970 the Natural Area Reserves Commission was established, which is now part of the division’s Native Ecosystems Protection and Management Program. In 1979 the recreational hunting duties that were previously associated with the Division of Fish and Game were merged with forestry, changing the division’s name to the Division of Forestry & Wildlife and becoming part of the division’s Wildlife Program. You can read more about the Division of Fish and Game in this history prepared by Ron Walker. In 1988, additional recreation duties were added to the division with the establishment of the Nā Ala Hele Trails & Access Program. This program oversees a vast network of public trails in Hawaiʻi for hiking, biking, and in some cases equestrian access, and manages information about historical trails.

Today’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife manages over one million acres of public lands and addresses a variety of public-use goals. Our staff are people who love nature and have the honor and responsibility of managing natural and cultural resources on behalf of the people of Hawaiʻi. To learn more:

• Visit our About Us page to meet our team, and watch staff profile videos describing their roles and why they care about protecting Hawaiʻi’s natural and cultural resources
• Visit our Lands & Management page to explore the one million acres we management and understand our multiple public-use goals, including conservation and vegetation management, forest products management, hunting and other recreational management
• Visit our Education page to meet the native species we protect, explore key conservation concepts through engaging StoryMaps, watch videos and documentaries about our work, and even take virtual field trips to our remote project sites.

From the staff of Forestry & Wildlife, mahalo for the opportunity to serve our ʻāina alongside you. We look forward to continuing our work toward our vision: a future with thriving native ecosystems and opportunities for the people of Hawaiʻi to engage with nature.

Historical Photos

Click on an album below to see photos.

More to celebrate

In addition to 120 years of Forestry & Wildlife, several of our programs have important anniversaries in 2023. Click any program below to visit its website and learn more.