The 2006 State Legislature modified the forest reserve statutes to authorize the Board of Land and Natural Resources to impose fines for violations within forest reserves, which provides greater flexibility and capacity to respond to violations.

The Legislature also identified additional revenue sources that could be reinvested into management of the Forest Reserve System. Revenues sources now include fees for leases, permits, mineral extraction, timber and non-timber forest products, and other ecosystem services.

Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) Chapter 104 was amended to expand the value and quantity of commercial harvest permits that may issued. Permit criteria was increased to six (6) per year for up to $10,000 in value per permit. The Division can now effectively recover value from salvage operations involving trees and reinvest these revenues directly back into the management of the Forest Reserve System.

Foster the update and development of forest management plans for each forest reserve of the Forest Reserve System.

Provide protection of critical lands that are in threat of development or conversion through purchase of fee titles or a conservation easements.

Expand managed and protected acreage under the Forest Reserve System.

Restore degraded forest reserve lands.

Contribute to and increase the understanding of a healthy forest ecosystem and the benefits associated with a functioning natural environment.

Promote self-sufficiency of the State through cultivation of energy and forestry product markets.

Provide technical assistance to private landowners whom manage their own working or conservation forests for the overall betterment of the forest landscape.