SUP Landing Page
Special Use Permits
NEW SPECIAL USE PERMIT ONLINE PORTAL
Aloha kākou, thank you for your interest in obtaining a permit from the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Native Ecosystems Protection and Management (NEPM) Program and Wildlife Program. By applying for a permit or license, you are helping to mitigate potential harm and contributing to our ongoing work to learn and protect our unique species and ecosystems.
The following permit and license applications are available through this portal:
- Native Invertebrate scientific, propagation, and educational permits
- Threatened and Endangered Plant scientific, education, cultural use, collection, possession, transportation, propagation, and outplanting licenses
- Wildlife scientific, propagation, educational and rehabilitation permits
- NARS special use permits
- Combinations of the above permits and licenses
Below you can find responses to frequently asked questions, information on how to use our new application system, and specific application and reporting requirements by program area. If you have further questions, please see the referenced links and contact information provided below.
KNOW BEFORE YOU APPLY
- Requests for permits should be submitted, at minimum, 90 days prior to the expected start of the proposed activity to allow sufficient time for review and processing. Incomplete applications (without maps or shapefiles when requested) may necessitate additional processing time. The 90 days also applies to permit renewals. Reports for permit renewals should be submitted at least one month in advance of expiration to allow time for staff evaluation and processing of the renewal.
- Preventing the spread of Rapid ʻOhiʻa Death is a priority and may require that you purchase new or borrow gear, equipment, or clothing. For interisland work or work in both ROD and non-ROD areas, plan your work to start in non-ROD areas to prevent spread. See www.ohiawilt.org for information on where ROD has been found. The following ROD management conditions are required for all permits issued:
- Maui District (Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi): Gear used on islands outside Maui District is strictly prohibited. Gear to be used on Maui District islands must be new or reserved for use in Maui District only. All field gear, tools, and equipment must be inspected by District NARS staff at the Kahului Baseyard prior to entering the NARS, if deemed necessary by NARS Management Supervisor.
- Kauaʻi: All clothes, gear and equipment used in ROD areas must be designated for and only used in ROD areas. Under no circumstances can they be used in non-ROD areas. This includes rain gear, footwear, backpacks, chainsaws, and camping equipment. ROD-designated gear should be stored separately from regular work gear. See attached Decontamination Protocol and flyer for more specific instructions on ROD management practices.
- Clean all tools (saws, pruners, shovels, etc.) with a 70% rubbing alcohol solution before reusing tools at another site.
- Shoes, clothing, backpacks, field gear, etc. should be thoroughly cleaned with Lysol, 70% rubbing alcohol, or 10% bleach solution before being worn in healthy forests and immediately after working in a ROD infected area. Shoe soles should be sprayed with Lysol or alcohol solution after removing mud and dirt. Clothing must be washed in hot water and detergent.
- All field vehicles should carry a spray bottle of 70% rubbing alcohol solution.
- Vehicles, especially the tires and undercarriage, should be thoroughly washed with detergent to prevent moving contaminated soil.
- So far, the pathogen has been isolated from ʻōhiʻa wood (internal), soil, and insect frass. Such material collected from sites where ROD is present should be destroyed following research or other use and not moved to other forest sites.
- Designate certain tools to be used only in ROD-infected areas instead of contaminating all tools.
- When visiting multiple sites, visit sites where ROD has been detected last to prevent spread. When visiting multiple islands, it is advised to travel to Hawaiʻi Island last.
- The above sanitation precautions should be closely followed, no exceptions. Following these guidelines are critical for researchers moving interisland.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Submit an Application
- Please use Chrome as your browser for this process.
- Other browsers including Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge can have issues with the online forms.
- Download the Instructions
- Please review the instructions before you create an account and/or create an application.
- Please have all of your necessary documents (proposals, cv’s, maps, etc.) available to help with filling out the application.
- Create a New User Account
- This will setup an account for you as an applicant on our system. If you are applying for another person or entity, you will be able to identify the Primary Permit Holder in the following application process. The Primary Permit Holder does not need to create a User Account.
- You must create a user account before you can create an Application.
- Edit an Existing User Account
- You must create a user account before you can create an Application.
- Create an Application
- Provide the details of who will be participating in the activity, the principal permit holder, and details of the activity including where, when, how, and why you are proposing this activity. We recommend that you have all of your information gathered before starting an application. Files can be uploaded as needed.
- You can use this form to Create or Edit an Application, to Edit your User Account information, or to Request a Renewal for your permit.
- Edit an Existing Application
- You can use this form to Edit an Application, to Edit your User Account information, or to Request a Renewal for your permit.
- Forestry & Wildlife staff will receive and review your application and will contact you if there are any questions or is ready to be approved. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions regarding your application.
- Natural Area Reserve System Permits: Jaianne Rimando
- Activities involving native birds and bats, introduced wild birds and game animals: Jason Omick
- Activities involving native invertebrates: Janis Matsunaga
- Activities involving rare, threatened, or endangered plants: Matthew Keir
- Please review your permit and all special conditions prior to signing. You may also want to review Chapters 183, 185, and 195, Hawaiʽi Revised Statutes, and any other laws applicable thereto, and all applicable Hawaiʽi Administrative Rules of DOFAW. Any infractions or misconduct will constitute grounds for revocation of the permit and possible administrative fines.
- Provide Feedback
- Please take a few minutes to fill out our anonymous User Feedback Survey. Mahalo.
- Your feedback is very important to us.
- Your feedback provides us with information about what you think as a user of our services and helps us to develop a better product.
- Reporting
- You may be required to submit reports as part of your permit.
- Please click the link above to see the specific reporting requirements for the your particular permit type.
- Use the link provided to upload your reporting documentation.
- Please contact the applicable DOFAW Staff for any questions you may have.
How to Use Your Permit or License
- Except for entry and access to publicly accessible trails, please have the principal permit holder contact the appropriate Forestry & Wildlife branch office to confirm the dates and times of entry well in advance of the initiation of fieldwork. Forestry & Wildlife office staff can confirm whether further notice prior to entering the field is required. Fieldwork in Hawai‘i can be hazardous and must be approached accordingly. Access to Forestry-and-Wildlife-managed lands may be denied or rescheduled for any reason, including but not limited to changes in field conditions such as hurricanes or fires. This is a safety issue and the primary reason why contact with the local Forestry & Wildlife office for that island must be made prior to beginning fieldwork. Some areas may require a key for entry and you will need to coordinate this with branch staff. Please plan ahead.
Kauaʻi Branch
3060 ʻEiwa Street, Rm. 306
Līhuʻe, HI, 96766
Phone: (808) 274-3433
Fax: (808) 274-3438
Oʻahu Branch
2135 Makiki Heights Drive
Honolulu, HI, 96822
Phone: (808) 973-9778
Fax: (808) 973-9781
[email protected]
Maui Branch
685 Haleakalā Hwy
Kahului, HI, 96732
Phone: (808) 984-8100
Fax: (808) 984-8114
Molokaʻi
P.O. Box 347
Kaunakakai, HI, 96748
Phone: (808) 553-1745
Fax: (808) 553-1746
Lānaʻi
P.O. Box 630661
Lānaʻi City, HI, 96748
Phone: (808) 565-7916
Fax: (808) 565-7917
Hawaiʻi Island Branch
19 E. Kawili Street
Hilo, HI, 96720
Phone: (808) 974-4221
Fax: (808) 974-4226
- A copy of the signed permit must be carried with the permit holder(s) at all times while in the field, as either a hardcopy or a digital copy on a charged, accessible device. Please ensure that all named participants have a copy of the permit. The principal permit holder is held responsible for the actions of all named and unnamed participants engaged in specified activities. Unnamed participants engaging in prohibited activities will be grounds for revocation.
- Among the conditions of your permit, you may be required to submit a report to Forestry & Wildlife. Please check your permit conditions and ensure that you complete any such necessary requirements. Failure to submit a report may also be grounds for revocation. Each type of activity may have its own reporting requirements. See below:
Reporting Requirements
Natural Area Reserve System (NARS)
NARS Reporting Instructions
NARS Reporting Spreadsheet
Staff Contact: Jaianne Rimando
Protected Wildlife
Wildlife Reporting Instructions/Requirements
Staff Contact: Jason Omick
Native Invertebrates
Reporting Instructions:
Invertebrate Reporting Spreadsheet
Staff Contact: Janis Matsunaga
Threatened & Endangered Plants
T&E Plants Reporting Instructions
T&E Plants Reporting Spreadsheet
T&E Plants Educational Use Template
Staff Contact: Matthew Keir
General Permit Questions
Staff Contact: Cara Oba
Upload Your Reporting Documents