The hawaii department of land and natural resources, division of aquatic resources, supports 12 projects under five grants which are funded by the U.S. Fish and wildlife office of conservation…

The State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Aquatic Resources, received a $320,000 Formula Grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Sport Fish Restoration program (CFDA 15.605) for the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. This award supports statewide coordination and management of 12 projects across five separate grants designed to restore, conserve, and enhance sport fish populations and recreational fishing access throughout Hawaii.

The grant funds a comprehensive Sport Fish Restoration Coordination Program that provides grant management, administrative oversight, and regulatory compliance for activities spanning freshwater, estuarine, and marine environments. Key deliverables include development and operation projects for sport fish habitat, scientific research and surveys of aquatic resources, aquatic resources education initiatives, and recreational boating access improvements. The award also supports critical liaison and coordination functions with regional and area Fish and Wildlife Service offices, other federal and state agencies, municipalities, and private organizations, as well as monitoring of legislation affecting the Sport Fish Restoration Program. Given the geographic diversity and complexity of Hawaii's aquatic ecosystems, the coordination funding ensures all projects maintain eligibility requirements and comply with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

The hawaii department of land and natural resources, division of aquatic resources, supports 12 projects under five grants which are funded by the U.S. Fish and wildlife office of conservation investments (OCI) sport fish restoration program on an annual basis. Hawaiis statewide sport fish restoration coordination program was established to provide effective grant management and oversight controls to ensure that the eligibility requirements of the program are maintained. Use of program funds requires considerable administration, supervision and coordination from the application process through post-closeout and staff must ensure grants projects comply with all state and federal laws and regulations. Statewide sport fish restoration program coordination, involving freshwater, estuarine and marine development and operation projects, research, surveys and inventories, aquatic resources education, and recreational boating access, is vital in view of the size, diversity and spatial distribution of all activities involved. In addition, liaison with external entities such as the regional and area fish and wildlife service offices, other federal, state and municipal agencies, councils, private and public organizations, is necessary, as is monitoring of legislation that may potentially impact the sport fish restoration program.