1892: The Bureau of Agriculture and Forestry is created as part of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi

1903: The new Territory of Hawaiʻi establishes the Board of Commissioners of Agriculture and Forestry, including creation and management of forest reserves

1905: The Forest Reserve System is established in Hawaiʻi. Fencing for livestock exclusion is one of the tools used for forest protection.

1959: Upon statehood, the Board of Commissioners of Agriculture and Forestry is replaced by the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture and Conservation.

May 11, 1960: The new Board of Land and Natural Resources meets for the first time and includes the director of the Department of Agriculture and Conservation as an automatic, ex-officio board member.

1961: The Forestry and Fish and Game Divisions are transferred to the Department of Land and Natural Resources and become the Division of Forestry and Wildlife. The Department of Agriculture and Conservation is renamed as the Department of Agriculture.

2003: The interagency Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council is established, co-chaired by the chairpersons of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The Council is administratively housed in the Division of Forestry & Wildlife.