Division of Forestry and Wildlife

The table below provides the current Administrative Rules for the Division of Forestry and Wildlife. The major functions of the Division of Forestry and Wildlife are to be found in Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes, “Title 12: Conservation and Resources,” at https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/docs/HRS.htm. Rules for other divisions with DLNR can be found here. Documents are in Adobe Acrobat PDF format; you can download their free reader here if needed https://adobe.com/products/reader.

 

The Division of Forestry and Wildlife occasionally proposes amendments to these rules. For any open commenting opportunities, click here to visit our commenting page. 

 

Adaptive Management Rules: The division may use its adaptive management authority to amend certain administrative rules. Adaptive management allows resource managers to implement effective management tools in response to rapidly changing resource conditions. In 2021, the Hawaiʻi legislature authorized DLNR to adopt, amend, or repeal any hunting rule pertaining to bag limits, size limits, open or closed hunting season, or gear restrictions by formal Land Board action at a publically noticed meeting. (HRS § 183D-3(b)). A copy of the temporary rules that have been adopted, amended, or repealed can be mailed to any interested person who makes a request to the Division. Submit written requests to [email protected] or via postal mail to Hunting Program, Division of Forestry & Wildlife, 1151 Punchbowl St. #325, Honolulu, HI 96813. Proposed rule changes will be listed in the links below. Executed temporary rule changes will be noted in the Administrative Rules table below.

 

 

The Department of Land and Natural Resources has developed a Civil Resource Violation System to standardize administrative fees and penalties associated with civil violations. Learn more from the DLNR Administrative Proceedings Office’s page on the Civil Resource Violation System.

Chapter	Title
Chapter 3	Alakai Wilderness Preserve, Island of Kauai
Chapter 104	Activities within forest reserves
Chapter 105	Restricted watersheds
Chapter 106	Tree Farms
Chapter 107	Threatened and endangered plants (note: these regulations do not include a list of threatened and endangered plants. For information on rare plants visit our Rare Plants page or contact staff)
Chapter 109	Forest Stewardship [size: 644Kb]. Forest Stewardship National Standards and Guidelines are here.                      Forest Stewardship Draft Rules 2023
Chapter 121	Hunting (general regulations)
Chapter 122	Game bird hunting, field trials and commercial shooting preserves.  2024 Executed Adaptive Management Rule Changes. Effective March 18, 2024
Chapter 123	Game mammal hunting. 2023 Executed Adaptive Management Rule Changes. Effective January 23, 2023- Island of Kauai and Hawaii 2024 Executed Adaptive Management Rule Changes. Effective March 18, 2024- Island of Hawaii 2024 Executed Adaptive Management Rule Changes. Effective October 21, 2024- Island of Maui
Chapter 124	Indigenous Wildlife, Endangered & Threatened Wildlife, Injurious Wildlife, Introduced Wild Birds, and Introduced Wildlife
Chapter 124, Exhibits	Lists of indigenous, endangered and threatened wildlife in Hawaii (Exhibits 1-3). Includes a list of introduced wild birds, other than game birds that have become established in Hawaii and a list of injurious species of wildlife in Hawaii (Exhibits 4 & 5).
Chapter 125	Wildlife sanctuaries (Repealed)
Chapter 126	Wildlife sanctuaries
Chapter 130	Trail and Access program (Na Ala Hele Program).
Chapter 140	Legacy Land Conservation Program
Chapter 208	Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission.
Chapter 209	Activities within Natural Area Reserves. Includes permitted activities, prohibited activities, and special use permits, and penalties. 4/22/24: Draft of proposed changes to Chapter 209.
Chapter 210	Application, Approval, and Administration of the Natural Area Partnership Program.
DRAFT Chapter 325 & 326	Draft rules for Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council: General Provisions (HAR 325) and Control & Eradication of Invasive Species (HAR 326)

Enforcement 

Statutes and rules related to the Division of Forestry and Wildlife can be enforced through three systems: 

• Civil Resource Violation System (CRVS): This system allows officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) to issue civil penalties (monetary fines) for certain violations (see below for more information). These violations are processed by the DLNR Administrative Proceedings Office. 
• Criminal enforcement system: Some violations carry criminal penalties (monetary fines and/or jail time). These violations are processed by the Hawaiʻi District Court System. 
• Board Actions: Administrative penalties (monetary fines) can also be issued by the Board of Land and Natural Resources. 

Note that DLNR may seek a combination of civil or criminal penalties, or board actions, for violations of its rules and statutes. Alternatively, DOCARE officers may elect to not issue a notice of violation and instead educate a suspected violator to encourage future compliance. 

The Civil Resource Violation System (CRVS) 

DLNR developed the CRVS to standardize and simplify the enforcement of civil violations. In particular, the CRVS enables DOCARE officers to issue civil penalties via a ticket (a notice of violation). This ticket is a monetary fine that can be paid via the DLNR Administrative Proceedings Office, rather than requiring the violator to go through the court system. This is similar to how parking tickets work. It is important to note that DOCARE officers can also issue criminal violation notices if they determine the violation necessitates a criminal penalty. 

To help individuals follow rules and avoid receiving a CRVS ticket from DOCARE officers, DOFAW has created a table below of some examples of civil violations related to DOFAW’s managed lands and species. Users should note that this is not a complete or exhaustive list of violations, nor are the descriptions below official rule language. These are summaries provided as educational information, with the official language for rules and statutes provided in the Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR) listed above on this webpage and in the referenced Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (HRS). Also, note that fines are provided in the table below for educational purposes and reflect the maximum amount for 1st/2nd/3rd offense. Official fines are determined by an officer according to the policies of the Administrative Proceedings Office and are subject to change over time.  

You can help protect Hawaiʻi’s natural resources by reporting violations to DLNR DOCARE at 643-DLNR (643-3567), or via the DLNRTip app. For emergencies, dial 911. 

Example Civil Resource Violations 

Land Designation	Violation	Summary	Fines up to (1st/2nd/3rd offense)
All	No possession, take (harm in any way), transportation, sale, or export of any plants or animals listed as Threatened or Endangered	For any threatened or endangered species of aquatic life, wildlife, or land plant, it is prohibited (unless authorized by the department under subsections f, g, or j) to: Export any such species from this State; Take (harm in any way) any such species within this State; Possess, process, sell, offer for sale, deliver, carry, transport, or ship, by any means whatsoever, any such species; Violate any rule adopted by the department pertaining to the conservation of these species Violate the terms of agreements or licenses issued under subsections f, g, or j, or any habitat conservation plan or safe harbor agreement.	$2,500 / $5,000 / $10,000
Forest Reserves	Commercial Activity	No commercial activities (without a permit)	$500 / $1000 / $2000
Forest Reserves	Gatherings & Scientific Collection	Meetings, weddings, concerts, shows, or the scientific collection of plants & animals require a special use permit	$250 / $500 / $1000
Forest Reserves	Wildlife or Plants	No injuring or killing any plant or animal in a Forest Reserve	$250 / $500 / $1000
Forest Reserves	Camping	Requires a permit. No camping at one site for more than 7 days	$100 / $200 / $400
Forest Reserves	Collecting	Permit required for collecting items for personal use. Permit should indicate collecting dates, locations, species, amounts. Items collected under a personal use permit cannot be sold (a separate Commercial Harvest Permit exists for this). No collection of threatened or endangered plants and animals. Each permittee can only have one permit within a seven-day period, for collecting any of the same forest products.	$100 / $200 / $400
Hunting – General	Hunting Guide Licenses	A hunting guide license is required to guide or attempt to guide clients for hunts. To have a hunting guide license you must have a hunting license and register with DLNR as a guide. The guide’s clients also need a hunting license.	$500 / $1000 / $2000
Hunting – General	Wildlife	It is prohibited to hunt, capture, kill or take any wildlife from public lands or lands under control of the board unless authorized	$250 / $500 / $1000
Hunting – General	Hunting on private land	No hunting on private land without the permission of the landowner	$500 / $1000 / $2000
Na Ala Hele Trails	Commercial Activities, General	No commercial activities (without a permit)	$500 / $1000 / $2000
Na Ala Hele Trails	Commercial Activities, Only in Designated Areas	Commercial permits shall be granted only for program trails, accesses, or segments thereof, that have been designated for commercial activity pursuant to subchapter 3.	$500 / $1000 / $2000
Na Ala Hele Trails	Commercial Permits: Non-Transferrable	All commercial permits are non-transferable or assignable	$500 / $1000 / $2000
Na Ala Hele Trails	Commercial Permits: Responsibility of Permittee	Permittee is responsible for all permit conditions and following all rules and regulations listed in the commercial permit	$500 / $1000 / $2000
Na Ala Hele Trails	Camping	No camping along NAH Trail or access without a permit	$100 / $200 / $400
Na Ala Hele Trails	Restricted Areas Access, Camping, Events	Permit required to access restricted areas, camping or for special events	$100 / $200 / $400
Na Ala Hele Trails	Use of Structures, Vehicles, Equipment on NAH Trails & Accesses	No entering, occupying or using a building/structure/facility of another on all Nā Ala Hele trails and accesses unless authorized. No using vehicles, machines, equipment, or tools of another on Nā Ala Hele trails and accesses unless authorized	$100 / $200 / $400
Na Ala Hele Trails	All Permits Non-Transferrable	All trail and access activity permits are non-transferable or assignable	$500 / $1000 / $2000
Na Ala Hele Trails	All Permits: Responsibility of Permittee	Permittee is responsible for all permit conditions and following all rules and regulations listed in the trail and access permit	$500 / $1000 / $2000
Natural Area Reserves	Commercial Activity	No commercial activities in a natural area reserve without special-use permit	$500 / $1000 / $2000
Natural Area Reserves	Kaʻena Point: Vehicles Prohibited	No use of vehicles in Kaʻena point natural area reserve	$250 / $500 / $1000
Natural Area Reserves	Camping	No camping or setting up temporary/permanent shelter in a natural area reserve	$100 / $200 / $400
Natural Area Reserves	Closed Areas: Observe and Abide Posted Signs	Individuals must observe and abide by officially posted signs designating closed areas. Closed areas are marked by posted signs with information on length and scope of closure. Areas are closed by the board with approval of commission for up to two years and reevaluated for renewal of closure.	$100 / $200 / $400
Natural Area Reserves	Access Prohibited in Closed Areas or After Visiting Hours	People cannot go into closed areas in a natural area reserve or after established visiting hours	$100 / $200 / $400
Natural Area Reserves	ʻAhihi-Kinaʻu: Parking Hours	ʻAhihi-Kinaʻu natural area reserve parking areas will be closed daily between 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., including holidays	$100 / $200 / $400
Natural Area Reserves	ʻAhihi-Kinaʻu: Parking Fees & Spots	Must pay parking fees and park in designated parking areas of Kanahena lot within the Ahihi-Kinau natural area reserve during open lot hours. No parking when Kanahena lot is closed.	$100 / $200 / $400
Natural Area Reserves	Visiting Hours	People must observe and abide by officially posted signs designating visiting hours.	$100 / $200 / $400
Wildlife Sanctuary	Commercial Activity: Permit Required	No commercial activities in a wildlife sanctuary without a permit	$500 / $1000 / $2000
Wildlife Sanctuary	Commercial Vessel Landing	People landing on a wildlife sanctuary in vessels rented by a commercial vendor must have a visible entry sticker. Commercial vendors are responsible if vessels do not have a sticker. Emergency or official government vessels are exempt.	$500 / $1000 / $2000
Wildlife Sanctuary	Wildlife or Plants	Do not introduce, feed, capture, kill or take any plant or animal from wildlife sanctuary unless authorized	$250 / $500 / $1000
Wildlife Sanctuary	Camping & Camping Structures	No camping or setting up a tent, tarpaulin, other structure, or use camper units or trailers in a wildlife sanctuary unless authorized	$100 / $200 / $400
Wildlife Sanctuary	Closed Sanctuaries: No Entry	People cannot enter or land onto closed wildlife sanctuaries (listed in HAR 126, Exhibit 1) unless authorized	$100 / $200 / $400
Wildlife Sanctuary	Visiting Hours	People can only visit wildlife sanctuaries, except for Kipuka ʻAinahou, during daylight hours unless authorized	$100 / $200 / $400
Wildlife Sanctuary	Residing in a Wildlife Sanctuary	No person shall occupy or establish temporary/permanent residence in a state wildlife sanctuary without a permit.	$100 / $200 / $400

NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE

The Department of Land and Natural Resources receives financial support under the Federal Aid in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration and other federal programs. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and the laws of the State of Hawaii, the U.S. Department of Interior and the State of Hawaii prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, and disability. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility, or if you desire information, please write to: Affirmative Action Officer, Personnel Office, Department of Land and Natural Resources, 1151 Punchbowl Street, Rm. 231, Honolulu, HI 96813, or the Federal agency supporting the program.