Division of Aquatic Resources

Division of Aquatic Resources Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Division of Aquatic Resources, Government Organization, 1151 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, HI.

The mission of the Division of Aquatic Resources is to work with the people of Hawai‘i to manage, conserve and restore the state’s unique aquatic resources and ecosystems for present and future generations.

Your manaʻo matters.Join the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) for a...
09/17/2026

Your manaʻo matters.

Join the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) for a Wailoa Estuary Community Listening Session in Hilo.

Come share your knowledge, experiences, concerns, and hopes for Wailoa Estuary while learning about DAR’s ongoing work, research, restoration efforts, and future initiatives.

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Wailoa Art Center | 200 Piopio St., Hilo

4:30 PM - Resource Tables
5:30–7:30 PM - Formal Session

The evening will include brief presentations followed by community listening, discussion, and Q&A.

Pūpū and refreshments will be provided.

E hele mai ! We hope you’ll join us.

Happy World Manta Day! Hawaiʻi is home to two primary species of manta ray: the smaller reef manta ray and the giant oce...
09/17/2026

Happy World Manta Day!

Hawaiʻi is home to two primary species of manta ray: the smaller reef manta ray and the giant oceanic manta ray.

The reef manta ray reaches a wingspan of up to 14 feet and typically stays close to shallow coral reefs or coastal bays. These individuals form small, localized resident populations that frequently return to specific cleaning and feeding stations.

Giant oceanic manta rays grow up to 26 feet wingspan and prefer deep, open ocean waters. These rays are solitary and highly migratory, traveling vast ocean distances.

Help us identify and track mantas by reporting any sightings at the Manta Pacific Research Foundation or Hawai‘i Association for Marine Education and Research websites.

We love our protected species, but we must give them space! View from afar and follow the wildlife viewing guidelines! ...
09/15/2026

We love our protected species, but we must give them space!

View from afar and follow the wildlife viewing guidelines!

09/12/2026

Happy World Dolphin Day! 🐬

Join us today, September 11, at 4 pm to sit down and talk estuaries at the Waikīkī Aquarium There will be a screening of...
09/11/2026

Join us today, September 11, at 4 pm to sit down and talk estuaries at the Waikīkī Aquarium

There will be a screening of the award-winning Hawai’i Sea Grant Voice of the Sea episode Estuary Team! and the Maunalua Bay: Past, Present, and Future video by Malama Learning Center, followed by a panel Q&A with DAR estuary researchers.

This FREE event is partially sponsored by the Oceania marine educators association! Join us for pupus, stickers, shirts (free with membership!) and to learn more about the national conference we are hosting in Waikiki July 11-15, 2027.

Hawaiian monk seals naturally hunt for food along the seafloor in caves, sand, and reefs. But like all wild animals, the...
09/10/2026

Hawaiian monk seals naturally hunt for food along the seafloor in caves, sand, and reefs. But like all wild animals, they’re quick to choose an easy meal. Once a seal gets a taste for freebies, it can be challenging for everyone involved.

To prevent encounters altogether, if a seal shows up, reel in and take a break, or try another spot.🤙

If a Hawaiian monk seal tries to take your catch or bait:

🎣 Keep reeling if the seal is not hooked or entangled — If the seal has the fish’s body or tail away from the hook, haul in your catch.

✂️ Cut the line if hooked or entangled — If the seal is hooked or entangled, cut the line as close to the hook as safely possible.

📞 Report it right away — Call the NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline at (888) 256-9840 so our team can evaluate the seal and respond as needed.

📸 Share photos or video — Clear footage of the seal and gear helps us track these behaviors and coordinate a response.

Photo Credit: Rj Suza Photography | Oahu, Hawaii

09/07/2026

ʻŌpaeʻula are tiny shrimp, typically only about 1–1.5 cm long, that are endemic to Hawaiʻi and found in unique coastal habitats called anchialine pools.

These pools are often brackish, where fresh groundwater mixes with saltwater, and some are even found on small offshore islets.

These remarkable shrimp can move between pools through underground cracks and water-filled spaces. They feed on algae, biofilm, and other organic matter, helping support anchialine pool ecosystems.

ʻŌpaeʻula can also provide clues about the health of anchialine ecosystems. Their presence and distribution can help indicate whether natural underground habitats, freshwater and saltwater mixing, and subterranean connections between pools are still functioning.

Have you ever come across ʻōpaeʻula?

Lobster season is open from September 1 - April 30 🦞Remember, lobster season in Hawaii is all the months with an “R’ in ...
09/03/2026

Lobster season is open from September 1 - April 30 🦞

Remember, lobster season in Hawaii is all the months with an “R’ in it.

Please visit https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/ for more information on fisheries regulations.

09/02/2026

A tale of a tail: Have you ever seen an āholehole with three tail lobes instead of two?

The DAR Estuaries team recently sampled estuaries on Oʻahu and found this unique āholehole with a rare fin variation! Despite the extra lobe, it was healthy and strong alongside the rest of the school, nor did it appear to have better swimming capabilities.

So how does this happen? Mutations! Changes in DNA sequence happen naturally through replication errors or environmental triggers. Attractive physical attributes in popular aquarium fish, such as bettas, guppies, and goldfish are also forms of mutation, but are the result of selective breeding and genetic manipulation.

Nature always finds a way to amaze us!

This is what a typical āholehole looks like

Āholehole are popular targets for light-tackle sport fishing, often caught using throw nets, small hooks, or light rods with live bait like shrimp

Address

1151 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, HI
96813

Telephone

+18085870100

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