Division of Aquatic Resources

What Division of Aquatic Resources does

The Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) is a regulatory and conservation division of the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), responsible for managing the state's marine and freshwater resources. DAR administers programs in commercial fisheries and aquaculture, aquatic resources protection, enhancement and education, and recreational fisheries, operating under Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 28-100 with statutory authority over nearly 1.3 million acres of state lands, beaches, and coastal waters and more than 750 miles of coastline (the fourth longest in the U.S.).

Its core product surface consists of licensing and permitting systems, including the Commercial Marine License System (commercial marine licenses, bottomfish fishing vessel registration, special marine product licenses, aquarium permits, Molokini Shoal MLCD use permits, and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands entry permits), Freshwater Game Fishing Licenses, and recreational fishing and public fishing area permits. These are delivered both through a Honolulu headquarters office (1151 Punchbowl Street) and four neighbor island offices in Kauai, Maui, Hilo, and Kona, as well as through the eHawaii.gov online self-serve portal. Supporting products include the Aquatic Resources Education Program (with the Holomua Marine Initiative Keiki Corner), DAR Public Service Announcements, the Marine Debris Rapid Response Program (hotline 833-4-DA-NETS), and the Anchialine Pool Conservation Program.

DAR's business model is a hybrid government funding model: revenue is generated through license and permit fees (commercial marine, aquaculture dealer, freshwater game fishing, special activity permits) supplemented by state government appropriations and federal grants for conservation programs (including donations through programs such as Aloha i ke Kai). Its customer base spans Hawaii residents, commercial fishing and aquaculture enterprises (enterprise tier), recreational fishermen and ocean recreation users (SMB/individual tier), and visitors to Hawaii. The entity is wholly owned and operated by the State of Hawaii, with no private shareholders, and is overseen by an executive Board of Land and Natural Resources currently chaired by Ryan Kanaka'ole.

Name

Division of Aquatic Resources

Legal name

State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources

Website

https://dlnr.hawaii.gov

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) is a Hawaii state government division that manages the state's marine and freshwater resources through commercial fisheries, aquaculture, recreational fishing licensing, and aquatic education and conservation programs serving residents, visitors, and licensed industry participants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management

NAICS

Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924), Fishing (11411), Aquaculture (11251)

SIC

Fishing, Hunting And Trapping (900), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI), Aquaculture Health, Biosecurity & Veterinary Services (AFAEAAAK)

Keywords

• Aquatic resource management
• Fisheries regulation
• Marine conservation
• Fishing license issuance
• Aquaculture licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Honolulu

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Licensing and Permits: The division issues various licenses and permits including commercial marine licenses, aquaculture dealer licenses, fishing licenses, and special activity permits. Revenue is generated through permit and license fees.
2. State Funding: As a division of the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, funding comes from state government appropriations and federal grants for conservation programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) manages Hawaii's marine and freshwater resources through commercial fisheries and aquaculture programs, aquatic resources protection, enhancement and education, and recreational fisheries. The division issues commercial marine licenses, aquaculture dealer licenses, freshwater game fishing licenses, special activity permits, and related fishery permits, while operating conservation programs for anchialine pools and marine debris response, and delivering educational outreach to residents and visitors.

Product overview

The Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) is a division of the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources that manages the State's marine and freshwater resources. The product portfolio centers on DAR as the core regulatory and management body for commercial fisheries and aquaculture, recreational fisheries, and aquatic resources protection. Supporting sub-products include the Commercial Marine License System for commercial fishing operations, Freshwater Game Fishing License services, various permit systems (Aquarium Permit, Special Marine Product License, Molokini Shoal Use Permit, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Entry Permit), and Bottomfish Fishing Vessel Registration. Educational offerings include the Aquatic Resources Education Program with the Holomua Marine Initiative and DAR Public Service Announcements. Conservation programs focus on anchialine pool protection and marine debris response. The regulatory framework is established through Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 28-100.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) Management Program State regulatory and conservation program managing Hawaii's marine and freshwater resources; serves commercial fishermen, aquaculture operators, recreational anglers, and the general public.
• Commercial Marine License System Online system for commercial fishing vessel registration, license management, and commercial fishing reporting; for commercial fishermen operating in Hawaii state waters.
• Freshwater Game Fishing License Online licensing system for freshwater game fishing in Hawaii state waters; for individual recreational anglers.
• Aquarium Permit Permit authorizing the aquarium collection of marine species; for aquarium collectors operating in Hawaii waters.
• Special Marine Product License Licensing for special marine products including Kona crab and lobster closed-season sales; for licensed commercial fishermen.
• Molokini Shoal MLCD Use Permit Special use permit for activities in the Molokini Shoal Marine Life Conservation District; for permitted commercial and research operators.
• Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Entry Permit Special permit authorizing entry into the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands protected waters; for permitted research and activity operators.
• Bottomfish Fishing Vessel Registration Registration system for bottomfish fishing vessels; for both commercial and recreational fishermen operating in Hawaii.
• Aquatic Resources Education Program Education program providing posters, reference materials for children and teachers, and fishing education materials; serves Hawaii students, teachers, and the general public.
• Holomua Marine Initiative Marine conservation education program featuring the Keiki Corner with the Herbivore: Gardeners of the Reef coloring book and other educational resources; for Hawaii children and families.
• Anchialine Pool Conservation Program DAR program protecting anchialine pools and their endemic shrimp species (opae'ula and Metabetaeus lohena) through stewardship and restoration partnerships; for the public and partner organizations.
• Marine Debris Rapid Response Program Program enabling the public to report large marine debris events and triggering rapid response via the hotline 833-4-DA-NETS; serves Hawaii residents, visitors, and partner agencies.
• DAR Public Service Announcements Video series informing residents and visitors about the nearshore marine environment and responsible ocean behavior; for the general public.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 808 CleanupscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in the Year of Our Coastal Kuleana 2026 campaign. 808 Cleanups organizes community beach cleanups and environmental stewardship activities across Hawaii.
• Bishop MuseumcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKey partner bridging academic research, museum collections, and public education for the Year of Our Coastal Kuleana campaign.
• Hawaii Audubon SocietycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in coastal conservation efforts and education, established in 1939 to protect Hawaii's native wildlife and ecosystems.
• Hawaii Wildlife CentercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit providing medical and rehabilitative care to native birds and ope'ape'a (Hawaiian hoary bat), partner in wildlife conservation education.
• Hui o Ko'olaupokominorGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit watershed management group working on water quality improvement and ecosystem restoration in Ko'olaupoko region.
• Kure Atoll ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner managing Hōlanikū (Kure Atoll) in collaboration with DLNR Forestry & Wildlife for seabird sanctuary protection.
• Maui Nui Seabird Recovery ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between DLNR Forestry & Wildlife and University of Hawaii for seabird conservation in Maui Nui region.
• NOAA Pacific Islands Ocean Exploration CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in ocean education and exploration initiatives for the Year of Our Coastal Kuleana campaign.
• Pacific Birds Habitat Joint VentureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in waterbird conservation efforts and the 'Igniting Hope for the 'Alae 'Ula' campaign.
• Sustainable Coastlines HawaiiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit inspiring local communities to care for coastlines through cleanups and environmental stewardship.
• University of Hawaii Sea GrantcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner providing research, education, and extension services for coastal and marine resource management. Partners on Sea Level Rise Viewer, Voice of the Sea, and various educational curricula.
• Wai'anae High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with DAR to develop long-term stewardship, restoration and educational opportunities for anchialine pool ecosystems at Wai'anae.
• Hawaii Wildlife FundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in marine debris education, anchialine pool conservation, and wildlife protection programs.
• Kaua'i Endangered Seabird Recovery ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between DLNR Forestry & Wildlife and University of Hawaii for endangered seabird conservation on Kauai.
• Hawaii Conservation AlliancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerConservation Connections database provides job and service opportunities across Hawaii as a DLNR partner.
• KupucoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHawaii-based nonprofit providing workforce development, training, and service opportunities through the Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Marine Sanctuary Foundation: National nonprofit supporting the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries; adjacent enabling organization with overlapping marine conservation mission and federal partnership model comparable to DAR's conservation partnerships.
• NOAA Fisheries (National Marine Fisheries Service): Federal agency with overlapping authority over U.S. marine fisheries management, aquaculture policy, and protected species. Engages with DAR as a federal counterpart and partner in Hawaiian waters.

Direct peers

• California Department of Fish and Wildlife: California's state-level fish, wildlife, and marine resource agency with analogous regulatory authority over commercial and recreational fishing, aquaculture permitting, and marine conservation. Most directly comparable in scope, customer base, and licensing model.
• Alaska Department of Fish and Game: Alaska's state fisheries and wildlife agency with strong commercial and recreational fisheries management functions and broad marine/freshwater jurisdiction, mirroring DAR's regulatory scope in a different geography.
• New York State Department of Environmental Conservation: New York's state environmental agency with comparable licensing authority over commercial and recreational fishing, marine resource protection, and aquatic habitat programs.
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Florida's state-level fish and wildlife agency with comparable licensing, recreational fisheries management, and marine resource protection mandates, including commercial and recreational saltwater licensing.
• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: Oregon's fish and wildlife agency with similar coastal/marine fisheries licensing, recreational licensing, and habitat protection programs along the Pacific coast.
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Texas's combined parks, wildlife, and fisheries agency managing commercial and recreational fishing licenses and aquatic habitat conservation along the Gulf Coast.
• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: Washington state's fish and wildlife agency with parallel authority over commercial and recreational fishing licensing, marine resource management, and aquatic habitat conservation.

Regional players

• Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center: NOAA's Pacific-focused fisheries science center covering Hawaiian and Pacific Island waters. A natural research and data partner given DAR's Pacific Islands operating scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/dlnr
• YouTubevimeo.com/user10051674/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/dlnrdar
• Instagramdlnr.hawaii.gov/newsroom/instagram
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/division-of-aquatic-resources

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Division of Aquatic Resources