A new website launched recently helps Hawaii residents and visitors easily find recreational services available across the state.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ jurisdiction encompasses nearly 1.3 million acres of state lands, beaches and coastal waters as well as 750 miles of coastline (the fourth longest in the country).
It includes state parks, historical sites, natural area reserves and forest reserves, aquatic life, bird and wildlife sanctuaries, public fishing areas, boating, ocean recreation, and coastal programs, game management areas and public hunting areas.
“Explore Outdoor Hawaii (outdoor.hawaii.gov) is a one-stop user-friendly website designed to help residents, visitors, and commercial operators find and apply for permits, licenses and reservations,” said DLNR Chair Dawn Chang in a press release. “The site is a great way to virtually explore the unique and varied cultural and natural resources of Hawaii, including relevant information about respecting our cultural sites, pono fishing practices, and permits that are required for commercial operations.”
“Activity-focused navigation and imagery will work in concert with existing DLNR systems and features direct pathways to the many DLNR managed resources,” said Lila Loos, DLNR’s information technology chief, in the press release. “This first step of our ambitious multiyear effort provides the foundation for consolidating and modernizing disparate and aging DLNR digital assets.” The consolidated website development was required by the passage of Act 182 by the state Legislature on July 3, 2023. The launch of the site completes Phase I of the project.
“With our planned year two and year three efforts, additional improvements and services will be made available online to improve the application and permitting experience,” Loos said.