Last updated July 2020
Link to state website
Requests for permits should be submitted at minimum, 90 days prior to the expected start of field work, to allow sufficient time for review and processing. Incomplete applications (including applications without maps when requested) may necessitate additional processing time. All permits must have original signatures and should be submitted to the appropriate DOFAW office via U.S. mail or be hand delivered before they are considered valid.
Contact
Jason Omick
Wildlife Biologist
Department of Land and Natural Resources
Division of Forestry and Wildlife
1151 Punchbowl St., Rm 325
Honolulu Hi 96813
Tel:(808) 587-4159
Cell (808) 372-4056
Jason.D.Omick_AT_hawaii.gov
Is a state permit required for banding?
Yes. The regulation specifically covers:
Catch, possess, injure, kill, destroy, sell, offer for sale, or transport any such
species, or any young or egg, or the dead body or skin thereof
(Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 13: Department of Land and Natural Resources, Subtitle 5: Forestry and Wildlife; Chapter 124-2: Definitions)
Permit application form
- Protected Wildlife Permit Application Form
- Permit Application Guidelines
- Renewal: same form
- Threatened and Endangered: Actions effecting any endangered, threatened, candidate or proposed species (bird, animal, or plant; terrestrial or marine): contact the Conservation Initiatives Coordinator – call DOFAW Admin office at (808) 587-0166
- Salvage: Request in application
State lands
Separate permits are needed to work on state lands; see general permit information website for details.
Prior notice
Field work in Hawai‘i can be hazardous and must be approached accordingly. For permits with field components, the permit holders must check-in with the appropriate DOFAW Branch office prior to the initiation of field work. Access to DOFAW managed lands may be denied or rescheduled for any reason, including changes in field conditions such as hurricanes, fires, and the like. This is a safety issue and the primary reason why contact with the DOFAW District/ Island office must be made prior to beginning fieldwork.
Policies and Procedures
Administrative Rules of the Division of Forestry & Wildlife §13-124-4 Scientific, propagation, and educational permits.
(a) Permits for collecting, possessing, killing, selling or offering for sale, and transporting threatened wildlife, indigenous wildlife, introduced wild birds, game birds, or game mammals may be issued by the board or its authorized representative for scientific or educational purposes including cultural activities, or for activities which will enhance the survival of the wildlife species.
(b) Permits to take, possess, process, sell or offer for sale, transport, or export any endangered species of wildlife may be issued only for scientific purposes or to enhance the propagation or survival of the wildlife species, except permits to possess legally obtained endangered species may be issued for educational purposes which enhance the survival of that species. [Eff 3/22/82; am and comp 8/28/86; am and comp ] (Auth: HRS §§183D-61, 195D-3, 195D-4, 195D-6) (Imp: HRS §§183D-6, 183D-61, 195D-3, 195D-4, 195D-5, 195D-6, 50 CFR §§17.11, 17.12)
Endangered Species
Hawai’i has a state endangered species law. The avian species listed under the state law are and which segments of the population are protected are listed below. These lists change! be sure to check with the state agency.
Nihoa Millerbird (Acrocephalus familiaris kingi) – Entire
Laysan Duck (Anas laysanensis) – Entire
Hawaiian Duck/Koloa-maoli (Anas wyvilliana) – Entire
Short-eared (Hawaiian) Owl/Pueo (Asio flammeus sandwichensis) -Oahu
Hawaiian Goose/ Nēnē (Branta sandvicensis) – Entire
Hawaiian Hawk/ʻIo (Buteo solitarius) – Entire
Oahu Elepaio (Chasiempis ibidis) – Entire
Hawaiian Crow/ʻAlalā (Corvus hawaiiensis) – Entire
Hawaiian Coot/ʻAlae keʻokeʻo (Fulica alai) – Entire
Common Moorhen/Hawaiian Gallinule/’Alae ʻula (Gallinula chloropus sandvicensis) – Entire
Maui Nuku puʻu/Nuku puʻu (Hemignathus lucidus affinis) – Entire
Kauai Nuku puʻu Nuku puʻu (Hemignathus lucidus hanapepe) – Entire
ʻAkiapōlāʻau ʻAkiapōlāʻau (Hemignathus munroi) – Entire
Kauai ʻAkialoa ʻAkialoa (Hemignathus stejnegeri) – Entire
Maui ‘Amakihi/ʻAmakihi (Hemignathus virens wilsoni) – Lanai
Black-necked (Hawaiian)/Stilt Āeʻo (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni) – Entire
Palila Palila (Loxioides bailleui) – Entire
Kauai Akepa Akekee (Loxops caeruleirostris) – Entire
Hawaii ʻAkēpa/ʻAkepeuʻie (Loxops coccineus coccineus) – Entire
Maui ʻAkēpa/ʻAkepeuʻie (Loxops coccineus ochraceus) – Entire
Poʻouli Poʻouli (Melamprosops phaeosoma) – Entire
Kauai ʻŌʻō ʻŌʻō ʻaʻa (Moho braccatus) – Entire
Molokai Thrush/ Olomaʻo (Myadestes lanaiensis rutha) – Entire
Kauai Thrush/Kāmaʻo (Myadestes myadestinus) – Entire
Small Kauai Thrush/Puaiohi (Myadestes palmeri) – Entire
Band-rumped Storm-petrel/ʻAkeʻake (Oceanodroma castro) – Entire
Kauai Creeper/Akikiki (Oreomystis bairdi) – Entire
Hawaii Creeper (Loxops mana) – Entire
Crested Honeycreeper/ʻĀkohekohe (Palmeria dolei) – Entire
Molokai Creeper/Kakawahie (Paroreomyza flammea) – Entire
Oahu Creeper/ʻAlauahio (Paroreomyza maculata) – Entire
Short-tailed Albatross (Phoebastria albatrus) – Entire
Maui Parrotbill (Pseudonestor xanthophrys) – Entire
ʻŌʻū ʻŌʻū (Psittirostra psittacea) – Entire
Hawaiian Petrel ʻUaʻu (Pterodroma sandwichensis) – Entire
Laysan Finch (Telespiza cantans) – Entire
Nihoa Finch (Telespiza ultima) -Entire
ʻIʻiwi ʻIʻiwi (Vestiaria coccinea) – Oahu, Lanai, Molokai