The mission of the DOFAW Watershed Protection and Management Program is to ensure water yields by protecting and enhancing the condition of Hawaii's forested watersheds to retard rapid run-off of storm flows, prevent and reduce soil erosion, and improve filtration rates.

Water has long been recognized as the most important resource of Hawaii's forest lands. Forested watersheds reduce the rain's errosive effects, prevent soil from washing into the ocean, increase infiltration rates into the soil, strip moisture from the clouds, and deliver a consistent and dependable source of surface and artesian water.

The Territory of Hawaii established one of the first forestry agencies in the nation in 1903, which had the authority to establish forest reserves for the protection of springs, streams, and other water supply sources. The State's long standing policy of watershed protection has resulted in dramatic improvements from the degraded conditions which prevailed at the turn of the century. Management activities such as protective zoning, fencing, removal or control of feral animals, reforestation, and fire protection have reduced excessive erosion and loss of vegetative cover.

Management Activities:

• Prevent and suppress forest and range fires
• Conduct public hunting seasons
• Control livestock trepass in forest and natural area reserves
• Survey and control noxious plants, forest insects and diseases
• Reforest deteriorating and /or disturbed state watersheds
• Produce and distribute tree seedlings for windbreaks, soil erosion control, and watershed enhancement
• Promote, encourage, and advocate for incentives to encourage the maintenance and enhancement of key watersheds on private lands.