The Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is a part of the Hawaii state government dedicated to managing state parks and other natural resources of the state of Hawaii.
Board of Land and Natural Resources
The DLNR is headed by an executive board, the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR). It is composed of seven members, one from land district and two at large, and the Chairperson, who is the executive head of the Department. The Board convenes twice monthly.
The Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) administers the 1987 State Water Code, Chapter 174C of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. "It has jurisdiction over land-based surface water and groundwater resources, but not coastal waters and generally, it is responsible for addressing water quantity issues, while water quality issues are under the purview of the Hawaii Department of Health. Of the seven commission members, two are members by virtue of office and five, who must have "substantial experience in water resource management", are appointed by the Governor. One term lasts four years. The Chairperson of the Commission is the Chair of the BLNR. The chairperson appoints the CWRM Deputy Director,
The CWRM's staff is divided into 4 main branches: a surveying, a planning, a groundwater regulation, and a stream protection and management branch. The survey branch collects hydrologic data. The planning branch is responsible for data analysis and preparing the Hawaii Water Plan. The ground-water regulation branch consists of 4 sections: Enforcement, Ground Water Allocation, Ground Water Infrastructure, and Ground Water Protection. They establish minimum standards for well construction, process water and well permits, and investigate. The stream protection and management branch establishes minimum standards for and processes permits for surface water or instream use.
The DLNR has 7 other committees, commissions and councils, including Aha Moku Advisory Committee, Endangered Species Recovery Committee, Hawaii Historic Places Review Board, Island Burials Councils, Kaho`olawe Island Reserve Commission, Legacy Land Conservation Commission, Natural Area Reserves Systems Commission.
As of 2014, the DLNR has 10 divisions:
Aquatic Resources - Manages the State's marine and freshwater resources through programs in commercial fisheries and aquaculture; aquatic resources protection, enhancement and education; and recreational fisheries. Also Issues fishing licenses.
Boating and Ocean Recreation - Responsible for the management and administration of statewide ocean recreation and coastal areas programs pertaining to the ocean waters and navigable streams of the State (exclusive of commercial harbors) which include 21 small boat harbors, 54 launching ramps, 13 offshore mooring areas, 10 designated ocean water areas, 108 designated ocean recreation management areas, associated aids to navigation throughout the State, and beaches encumbered with easements in favor of the public. Also Registers small vessels.
Bureau of Conveyances - Maintains an accurate, timely and permanent record system for title to real property. The Bureau examines, records, indexes, and microfilms over 344,000 Regular System and Land Court documents and maps annually; issues Land Court Certificates of Title; certifies copies of matters of record; and researches UCC requests. Hawaii is the only state in the nation with a single statewide recording office.
Conservation and Coastal Lands - Overseeing approximately 2 million acres (8,100 km2) of private and public lands that lie within the State Land Use Conservation District. In addition, to privately and publicly zoned Conservation District lands, OCCL is responsible for overseeing beach and marine lands out to the seaward extend of the State's jurisdiction
Conservation and Resource Enforcement - Enforces all State laws and rules involving State lands, State Parks, historic sites, forest reserves, aquatic life and wildlife areas, coastal zones, Conservation districts, State shores, as well as county ordinances involving county parks. The division also enforces laws relating to firearms, ammunition, and dangerous weapons.
Engineering Division - Provides technical support in protecting and managing Hawaii's natural resources.
Forestry and Wildlife - Manages of State-owned forests, natural areas, public hunting areas, and plant and wildlife sanctuaries. Program areas cover watershed protection; native resources protection, including unique ecosystems and endangered species of plants and wildlife; outdoor recreation; and commercial forestry. Issues hunting permits.
Historic Preservation Division - Preserves and sustains reminders of earlier times which link the past to the present. SHPD maintains three branches, History and Culture, Archaeology, and Architecture.
Land Division - Manages State-owned lands and other lands that are not set aside for use by other government agencies. The division also serves as an office of record and maintains a central repository of all government documents dating back to the Great Māhele of 1848.
State Parks - Manages and administers 52 state parks, .encompassing nearly 25,000 acres (100 km2) on the 5 major islands, issues camping permits. The park environments range from landscaped grounds with developed facilities to wild land areas with trails and primitive facilities.
The DLNR has four offices:
Office of the Chairperson
Administrative Services Office - Provides administrative support services, internal management, and comprehensive fiscal services to the Chairperson and Members of the Board, and to the nine operating divisions and three staff offices of the Department.
Personnel Office - Maintains a personnel program for the Department.
Public Information Office - Disseminates information about DLNR's programs, accomplishments, goals, and the department's mandate to protect the special natural and cultural heritage of Hawai`i.
