Hawai'i State Wildlife Action Plan

The rich biodiversity of the Hawaiian Archipelago is nothing less than astounding. However, the stark reality is native species and their habitats currently face tremendous challenges. By identifying important species and habitats, key threats, and strategies for conservation, the 2015 Hawaiʻi State Wildlife Action Plan, or SWAP, provides a foundation for the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and its partners in the conservation of native wildlife and habitats for the next 10 years.

Each state wildlife action plan must address these eight core elements. A SWAP should also identify and focus on “species of greatest conservation need” (SGCN), yet address the “full array of wildlife” and related issues.

1. Wildlife species distribution and abundance,
2. Locations and condition of key habitats and community types,
3. Threats and priority research gaps,
4. Conservation actions to address these threats and gaps,
5. Monitoring plans for species, habitats, and the effectiveness of conservation actions,
6. Review plan for updating and adapting the SWAP,
7. Coordination plan for SWAP development, implementation, and review with federal, state, local, and indigenous groups, and
8. Public participation opportunities in plan development and implementation.

Read more about the eight elements in the 2015  Hawaiʻi SWAP Executive Summary .

Hawaiʻi’s SWAP includes conservation plans for over 10,000 native, endemic, and indigenous plants and wildlife, all in need of conservation action. These "species of greatest conservation need" (SGCN), include one terrestrial mammal, 78 birds, approximately 5,000 terrestrial invertebrates, 5 freshwater fish, 12 freshwater invertebrates, 20 anchialine pond-associated fauna, 26 marine mammals, 6 marine reptiles, 151 marine fish, 197 marine invertebrates, and over 750 flora. Browse our library of  Species Facts Sheets  to learn more.

The SWAP also identifies major threats to a majority of species and habitats in Hawaiʻi. Habitat loss and degradation, invasive species, overharvesting and excessive use, climate change, conservation law compliance, information gaps, management constraints, and inadequate funding are just some of the known challenges. Recent urgent threats include rapid ‘ōhi‘a death, mosquitoes and avian malaria, coral disease and bleaching, depleted marine resources, predation and erosion by ungulates such as axis deer and pigs, and rodents.

Increasingly, DLNR is grounding its natural resource management in traditional Hawaiian knowledge, particularly the ahapuaʻa system. An ahupuaʻa is a traditional socioeconomic, geologic, and climatic subdivision of land which runs from the mountain ridge to the ocean. It focuses on the interconnectedness of the sky, land, water, and people. In this featured StoryMap,  Protecting Our Water with Fencing , learn how fencing projects in mauka forests reduce the presence of hooved animals, slow the progression of rapid ʻōhiʻa death, contribute to healthy ecosystems and watersheds, and ultimately protect our most precious resource– fresh water.

The Hawaiʻi State Wildlife Action Plan also identifies seven priority conservation objectives and strategies to implement them.

A SWAP is required to participate in the State Wildlife Grant (SWG) program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Under this program, Hawai‘i receives around $500K annually to fund conservation projects. The DLNR also submits proposals for Competitive State Wildlife Grants (CSWG) each year for an additional $1M - $2M. Over the past 10 years, Hawaiʻi has received over 30 CSWG grants, which help to conserve our most imperiled native wildlife species.

The Hawaiʻi State Wildlife Action Plan will be updated again in 2025! Stay up to date on the 2025 SWAP Revision progress and contribute to its development here.

 Department of Land and Natural Resources Homepage 

 Division of Forestry and Wildlife Homepage 

 Division of Aquatic Resources Homepage 

Division of Forestry and Wildlife  Education Page 

Division of Aquatic Resources  Education Page 

 Volunteer Opportunities  with the Department of Land and Natural Resources

 Share Your Voice  with the Division of Forestry and Wildlife