The Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission members act in an advisory capacity for the Board of Land and Natural Resources, which sets policies for the Department. Meeting documents relating to the commission, including agendas and minutes, are below.
An ʻakoko flower in Kuʻia NAR
About the NARS Commission
Hawai‘i Revised Statutes§195-6contains rules that govern the membership, procedures, and administrative details of the commission. Hawai‘i Revised Statutes§195-7outlines the powers and duties of the commission, including:
(1) Establish criteria to be used in determining whether an area is suitable for inclusion with the reserves system;
(2) Conduct studies of areas for possible inclusion within the reserves system;
(3) Recommend to the governor and the department areas suitable for inclusion within the reserves system;
(4) Establish policies and criteria regarding the management, protection, and permitted uses of areas which are part of the reserves system;
(5) Advise the governor and the department on any matter relating to the preservation of Hawai‘i’s unique natural resources;
(6) Develop ways and means of extending and strengthening presently established preserves, sanctuaries, and refuges within the State;
(7) Advise the department and other public agencies managing state-owned land or natural resources regarding areas under their respective jurisdictions which are or may be appropriate for designation as natural area reserves; and
(8) In carrying out the above duties, consult the most comprehensive up-to-date compilation of scientific data on the communities of natural flora and fauna of Hawai‘i. [L 1970, c 139, pt of §1; am L 1987, c 350, §5]
Current Commissioners
For details of current commissioners, please contact Forestry & Wildlife.
| Name | Specialization |
| Thorne Abbott | Geology |
| Ms. Michelle Clark | Ecology |
| Dr. Pat Hart | Designee for President, University of Hawai‘i |
| Ms. Hi‘ilei Kawelo | Cultural Practitioner |
| Chris Kishimoto | Designee for Department of Agriculture Chair |
| Mr. Jay Penniman | Biology |
| Dr. Donald Drake | Botany |
| Vacant | Hiker |
| Dr. Norine Yeung | Zoology |
| Ms. Mary-Alice Evans | Director, Office of Planning, Ex officio |
| Mr. Jeffery Saito | Hunting |
| Ms. Allison Cohan | Natural Resource Management |
NARS Commission Meeting Documents
Documents from previous NARS Commission meetings are available below. Agendas and minutes for NARS Commission meetings are also posted on the State of Hawaiʻi eCalendar.
NARS Commission Meeting June 18, 2024
NARSC Meeting Agenda 6.18.24 (1)
Item 2: NARS Commission Meeting Minutes August 18, 2022
Ex D Amended Cumulative take table
Kuloloio NARS Take Report 2013
Item 4 Kuloloio (1) (part 1) – signed
Item 6 NARSC Meeting Delegation 6.18.24 (1)
TESTIMONY
Mogul Luʻuwai Permit Written Testimony
Kalei Luʻuwai_ʻĀhihi-Kīnaʻu NAR Permit_Written Testimony
NHLC Comments re Agenda Item No. 3
NHLC Testimony re Agenda Item No. 5
June 18, 2024 Meeting Recording This meeting is also in DLNR’s sharepoint files. Contact [emailprotected] if you cannot access the recording at this link.
CANCELLED: NARS Commission Meeting October 17, 2023
Please note that the meeting for October 17, 2023 has been cancelled.
2022, August 18: NARSC Meeting
2020, October 15: NARSC Meeting
2019, August 22: NARSC Meeting
Item 2. NARS-Commission-10.16.18-Meeting-Minutes-DRAFT
Item 3. NAPP Renewal
Item 4. CRVS NARS Commission submittal
Item 5a. Nanualele Natural Area Reserve
Item 5b. Ahihi Kinau Natural Area Reserve Extension
Item 6. Access Restriction Lihau, West Maui Natural Area Reserve
2019, August 22: NARSC and FSAC Joint Consultation Meeting
2018, October 16: NARSC Meeting
NARS Commission 10.16.18 Meeting Minutes DRAFTSubject to Approval
Board packet of all agenda items compiled(contains all the documents listed below in one file)
Agenda October 2018 NATURAL AREA RESERVES SYSTEM COMMISSION MEETING
NARS NAPP NARF Rpt FY18 (Sec 195-6.6)
2018, February 12: NARSC Meeting
2017, July 31: NARSC Meeting
2017, May 25: NARSC and FSAC Joint Consultation Meeting
2017, March 31: NARSC Meeting
Click here for the Meeting Agenda
Meeting Materials
March 31, 2017 NARS Commission Meeting Minutes (Draft)
April 6, 2016 NARS Commission Meeting Minutes (Final)
- Item 2:April 6, 2016 NARS Commission Meeting Minutes(Draft)
- Item 3: Submittal, Puʻu Kukui Watershed Preserve Long-Range Management Plan
- Item 4a: Submittal, SDZG Permit Application
- Item 4b: Submittal
- Item 4c: Submittal
- Item 4d: Non-exclusive Easem*nt to Department of Navy for Communication Facility Purposes
- Item 6: Forest Legacy Program Assessment of Needs, Map Handout
2016, April 6: NARSC Meeting
2015, December 14: NARSC Meeting
2015, July 30: NARSC Meeting
2015, 15: NARSC Commercial Use Subcommittee Meeting
2015, April 27: NARSC Meeting
2013, November 22: NARSC Natural Area Partnership Program Subcommittee Meeting
2013, June 17: NARSC Meeting
June 17, 2013 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission
Click here for theMeeting Agenda
Meeting Materials
2012, November 29-30: NARSC Meeting
November 29-30, 2012 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission
Click here for the Meeting Agenda
Meeting Materials
2012, June 4: NARSC Meeting
June 4, 2012 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission
Click here for theMeeting Agenda
Meeting Materials
- NARSC Meeting Minutes (draft) – November, 18, 2011
- Appointment of NARSC member to sit on the Legacy Land Commission
- Proposal for the Kaluanui Natural Area Reserve
- Management Plan Development Process
- ‘Ahihi-Kina‘u Reserve Plan Overview
- ‘Ahihi Kina‘u Implementation Plan
- ‘Ahihi Kina‘u NAR Timeline
- Request for Approval to Extend Access Restrictions to Portions of ‘Ahihi-Kina‘u Natural Area Reserve
- Pu‘u Ali‘i Natural Area Reserve: Cooperative Agreement
- Special Use Permit Application: Cultural Access and gathering in ‘Ahihi-Kina‘u NAR by the Kulaloio Family
- Special Use Permit Application for Commercial tours to Ka‘ena Point NAR
- NARS Logo Brief
- DOFAW Recommendation for the Kaluanui Natural Area Reserve
2011, November 18: NARSC Meeting
November 18, 2011 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission
Click here for the Meeting Agenda
Meeting Materials
- Waikamoi Preserve Draft Long Range Management Plan
- Kau Preserve Draft Long Range Management Plan
- Moomomi Preserve Draft Long Range Management Plan
- Kamakou Preserve Draft Long Range Management Plan
- Kipahoehoe Natural Area Reserve Extension Nomination
- DOFAW Recommendation Kipahoehoe
- Minutes June 20 2011 NARSC Meeting
- Minutes June 19 2011 Site Visit
- Special Use Permit Kahakuloa West Maui Natural Area Reserve
- The Rain Follows the Forest NARS Commission Presentation
2011, June 19-20: NARSC Meeting
June 19-20, 2011 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission
Click here for the Meeting Agenda
Meeting Materials
- Kipahoehoe Natural Area Reserve Extension Proposal
- Minutes of the March 6, 2011 NARSC Site Visit Ahihi Kinau
- Minutes of the March 7, 2011 NARSC Meeting
- Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve Extension Proposal
- Minutes of the March 7, 2011 WaiheeSite Visit
- Kaena Point NAR Extension – DOFAW Recommendation
- Minutes of the March 5, 2011 NARSC Site Visit to Puu Kukui
- Puu Makaala NAR Extension Proposal
- Request to extend closure of Kahaualea NAR
- Mauna Kea HAVO
- Puu Alii Weather Station
2011, March 5-7: NARSC Meeting
March 5-7, 2011 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission
Click here for the Meeting Agenda
Meeting Materials
2010, September 20: NARSC Meeting
September 20, 2010 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission
Click here for the Meeting Agenda
Meeting Materials
- DRAFT Minutes of the May 5, 2010 NARSC Meeting
- DRAFT Minutes of the January 20, 2010 NARSC Meeting
- DRAFT Minutes of the January 20, 2010 Enhancement Subcommittee Meeting
- DRAFT Minutes of the January 19, 2010 Natural Area Reserves System Commission (NARSC) National Ecological Observation Network (NEON) Site Visit to Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest (HETF) Laupahoehoe Section
- NEON Update
- Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest Update
- Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest Update Map
2010, May 5: NARSC Meeting
May 5, 2010 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission
Click here for the Meeting Agenda
Meeting Materials
2010, January 20: NARSC Meeting
January 20, 2010 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission
Click here for the Meeting Agenda (includes agenda for Enhancement Subcommittee meeting)
Meeting Materials
- Enhancement Subcommittee ITEM 2: Draft Minutes of the August 25, 2009 Enhancement Subcommittee Meeting
- NARS Commission ITEM 2: Draft Minutes of the August 25, 2009 NARS Commission Meeting
- NARS Commission ITEM 5: Request to recognize the importance of protecting 13 dominant native plant species
- NARS Commission ITEM 7.a.i: Proposal for the Nakula Natural Area Reserve, Maui
- NARS Commission ITEM 7.a.i: Na Kula Natural Area Reserve – DOFAW Recommendation
- NARS Commission ITEM 7.a.ii: Proposal for the Extension of Puu Makaala Natural Area Reserve, Hawaii
- NARS Commission ITEM 7.a.ii: Puu Makaala Natural Area Reserve Extension – DOFAW Recommendation
- NARS Commission ITEM 7.b: Ilio Point Submittal
- January 19 NEON Site Visit and Subcommittee Meeting Agenda
2009, August 25: NARSC Meeting and Sucommittee on Enhancement Meeting
August 25, 2009 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission
Click here for the Meeting Agenda(includes agenda for subcommittee meeting)
Meeting Materials for the NARS Commission meeting
- Draft Minutes of the May 26, 2009 NARSC Meeting
- Proposal for the Kaluanui NAR, Oahu
- DOFAW Recommendation – Kaluanui NAR
- Proposal for the Extension of Kahauale`a NAR, Hawai`i
- DOFAW Recommendation – Extension of Kahauale`a NAR
- Proposal for the `llio Point Natural Area Reserve or Wildlife Sanctuary
- DOFAW Recommendation – Ilio Point NAR
- Proposal for the Extension of Puu Makaala NAR, Hawaii
- Proposal for the Nakula NAR, Maui
- Kaena Ecosystem Restoration Project: Briefing Packet
- Kaena Point Ecosystem Restoration Project: Outreach Contacts
- Dominant Native Plant List for Quarantine Regulatory Actions
Meeting Materials for the Subcommittee on Enhancement Meeting
2009, May 26: NARSC Meeting
May 26, 2009 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission
Click here for the Meeting Agenda
Meeting Materials
- Draft Minutes of the April 6, 2009 NARS Commission Meeting
- Item 4b: Special Use Permit for Richard Pender
- Item 4c: Special Use Permit for Lauren Weisenberger
- Item 5: Request to Recognize the Importance of Protecting the Dominant Forest
- Item 8: Kanepuu Draft Long Range Management Plan
- Enhancement Subcommittee Submittal
- Enhancement Proposal: Namolokama
- Enhancement Proposal: Puehuehunui/Kauaula
2009, May 4: NARSC Meeting
May 4, 2009 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission
Click here for the Meeting Agenda
Meeting Materials
2009, April 6: NARSC Meeting
April 6, 2009 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission
Click here for the Meeting Agenda
Includes minutes from previous meetings and other submittals including permit applications
Meeting Materials
- Submittal for Agenda Items 7a, 7b, & 7c
- Submittal for proposals for NAR/Wildlife Sanctuary Additions.
- Proposal for the Extension of Kahauale`a NAR, Hawai`i
- Proposal for item 7a.
- Proposal for the Kaluanui NAR, Oahu
- Proposal for item 7b.
- Proposal for the `llio Point Natural Area Reserve or Wildlife Sanctuary
- Proposal for item 7c.
- Information on Kauai Biologically Important Areas
- Summary of discussions and resource info for agenda item 7.
- Information on Maui Nui Biologically Important Areas
- For agenda item 7.
- Information on Big Island Biologically Important Areas
2008, October 7: NARSC Enhancement Subcommittee Meeting
October 7, 2008 meeting of the Enhancement Subcommitte of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission
Click here for the Meeting Agenda
Meeting Materials
2008, September 15: NARSC Meeting
September 15, 2008 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission
Click here for the Meeting Agenda
Meeting Materials
- Minutes June 30, 2008 NARSC Meeting
- For Agenda Item 2. Minutes of the last NARSC Meeting subject to approval.
- Strategic Plan
- For Agenda Item 3. Final Draft, Version 2.6
- Pelekunu NAPP Long Range Management Plan
- For Agenda Item 6: NAPP Renewals
- Kapunakea NAPP Long Range Management Plan
- For Agenda Item 6: NAPP Renewals
- Submittal for Draft Cooperative Agreement w/ OMKM for Mauna Kea Ice Age NAR
- For Agenda Item 7c.
- Submittal for Draft Cooperative Agreement with TWS and FWS for Kaena Pt Ecosystem Restoration Project
- For Agenda Item 7e.
- Submittal for Draft Cooperative Agreement with NPS for Puu Alii NAR
- For Agenda item 7
2008, June 30: NARSC Meeting
June 30, 2008 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission
Click here for the Meeting Agenda
Meeting Materials
2008, June 4: NARSC Meeting
June 4, 2008 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission
Click here for the Meeting Agenda
Also includes agenda for the subsequent meeting of the Enhancement Subcommittee
Meeting Materials
- Enhancement Workshop Submittal – Hanawi nomination timing 6/4/08
- Please review this in preparation for the June 4 Enhancement Workshop. We will be discussing the timing for action on NAR proposals that have been nominated in relation to the timing of the analysis.
- Enhancement Workshop Submittal 6/4/08
- Please review this summary of previous discussions and issues in preparation for the Enhancement Workshop.
- Submittal – Atkins Special Use Permit
- SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION: MR. PAUL ATKINS, MOANA PRODUCTIONS TO FILM LAVA FLOWS AND SKYLIGHTS IN KAHAUALE`A NATURAL AREA RESERVE
- Submittal – Filming in NARS
- Requesting delegation of authority from the Natural Area Reserves System Commission for certain productions to film in the Natural Area Reserves System
- Delegation of Selected Permitting Approval Authority for Activities Undertaken in NARs
- For the 6/4/08 NARS Commission meeting, agenda item 2b.
- Letter from Hawaii Film Office
- Requesting Delegation for Certain Productions to Film in the NAR.
- Atkins Film Application
- For discussion in the 6/4/08 NARS Commission Meeting, agenda item 2a.
- NARSC Meeting Minutes June 4, 2008
- Draft subject to approval.
- NARSC Enhancement Workshop Minutes June 4, 2008
2008, April 21: NARSC Meeting
April 21, 2008 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission
Meeting Materials
Miscellaneous Documents
Hawai‘i State Ethics Commission “The High Road” (October 2008)
The newsletter of the Hawai‘i State Ethics Commission
Request to recognize the importance of protecting thirteen dominant native forest species
Letter from NARSC to Board of Agriculture
