Endangered Animals in Hawaii: Species, Laws, and What You Need to Know

Hawaii covers less than 0.2% of U.S. land area, yet it is home to nearly one-quarter of the nation’s endangered species — a distinction that has earned it the sobering title of “endangered species capital of the world.” Whether you live on the islands, are planning a visit, or simply want to understand how wildlife law works in the state, knowing which animals are protected — and what the rules are around them — matters more here than almost anywhere else in the country.

From the Hawaiian monk seal resting on a beach to the nēnē crossing a road near a volcano, encounters with endangered wildlife in Hawaii are surprisingly common. And the legal consequences of mishandling those encounters can be severe. This guide walks you through how species are listed, which animals are protected, what you can and cannot do, and how to report what you see.

Key Insight: Hawaii has the greatest number of federally listed endangered and threatened species of any U.S. state, with over 400 species listed statewide.

How Endangered Species Are Listed and Protected in Hawaii

Both the federal government and the State of Hawaiʻi have their own endangered species laws. Understanding how they interact is the first step to knowing what protections apply and to whom.

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 is a federal law that provides legal protection to at-risk plants and animals and the ecosystems they rely upon. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) share responsibility for administering this act. On the marine side, the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972 is another federal law that serves exclusively to protect marine mammal species and monitors their population stocks.

At the state level, Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 195D establishes the state’s responsibility to protect and conserve native wildlife and their habitats, which includes species federally listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA. In other words, the federal protections provided to species listed under the ESA are adopted by State of Hawaiʻi law when the animals are within state management areas.

The State of Hawaiʻi has legal jurisdiction over all main Hawaiian Islands land as well as the water surrounding each island out to a distance of three nautical miles. When protected species are within that area, they fall under state management authority.

Important Note: Hawaii’s state endangered species law (HRS Chapter 195D) runs alongside — not instead of — federal law. Both can apply simultaneously, meaning you could face penalties under both frameworks for a single violation.

Species are added to the federal list through a formal petition and review process managed by the USFWS or NMFS. Species recovery is defined as the elimination or reduction of threats to an animal or plant species’ survival. Once a species has recovered, it is removed from the federal list. Hawaii’s state wildlife agency, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), also maintains its own State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), which identifies species of greatest conservation need beyond the federal list.

Federally Listed vs. State-Listed Endangered Animals in Hawaii

When you hear about an endangered species in Hawaii, it may be listed at the federal level, the state level, or both. The distinction matters because the rules and enforcement mechanisms differ between the two systems.

Hawaii’s state law automatically includes all species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act and also includes the pueo (Hawaiian short-eared owl) and white tern on Oahu — species that are not listed under the federal ESA. This means state law can offer broader protection in some cases.

Media reporting on endangered species in Hawaiʻi often only mentions the federal listing. This is an unfortunate oversight, as the state listing is a very important consideration — critically so for plant species, which are not covered by the federal ESA on private lands unless there is a federal nexus.

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the two frameworks:

Hawaii’s State Wildlife Action Plan identifies the species of greatest conservation need for Hawaiʻi. Unfortunately, Hawaiʻi has the greatest number of listed species out of all of the United States. That record is a call to action, not just a statistic.

Notable Endangered Animals Found in Hawaii

Hawaii comprises less than 0.2% of American soil, yet nearly one-quarter of the nation’s endangered species of animals, birds, and marine mammals are found here. This makes Hawaii the endangered species capital of the world. Below are some of the most significant species you may encounter.

Hawaiian Monk Seal (ʻĪlioholoikauaua)

Of all marine mammals, the Hawaiian monk seal is the most endangered in the pinniped family in the western hemisphere and is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. It is the most endangered marine mammal in the United States.

Currently, it is estimated that there are only about 1,600 Hawaiian monk seals remaining, most of which can be found in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. Sightings on the main islands are becoming more frequent, especially on Kauaʻi and Oʻahu.

Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle (Honu) and Hawksbill Turtle (ʻEā)

The green sea turtle, or honu, is an endangered species in Hawaii largely because of human interaction. They often die from pollution or from loss of habitat. Additionally, they are susceptible to diseases and stress from human interactions.

The hawksbill turtle has been critically endangered since 1970. With an estimated 20,000 to 23,000 nesting females living worldwide and fewer than 100 in Hawaii, it is threatened by habitat loss, pollution, climate change, poaching, and predation of its eggs. All sea turtles are protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Nēnē (Hawaiian Goose)

The nēnē, or Hawaiian goose, is considered the world’s rarest goose. The nēnē mainly inhabits shrubs and grasslands but can be found on the slopes of volcanoes and in some lowland areas when breeding and nesting.

Of all the native Hawaiian animals, the nēnē goose experienced the closest brush with extinction. Hunters almost killed them off completely in the 1940s because of lax laws. Fortunately, the geese became the Hawaiian State Bird in 1957, which gave the species greater protection. However, due to constant threats such as non-native predators, habitat destruction, and vehicle collisions, the nēnē goose remains one of the endangered animals of Hawaii.

Hawaiian Hoary Bat (ʻŌpeʻapeʻa)

The Hawaiian Hoary Bat, or ʻŌpeʻapeʻa, is the only existing land mammal native to the Hawaiian archipelago. Scientists once considered it a subspecies of the hoary bat found on the mainland U.S., but have since determined the Hawaiian hoary bat to be unique to the state.

Although they once inhabited all islands, they no longer exist on Oahu at all, due to habitat loss and pesticides. The species is endangered due to habitat loss, pesticides, structure collisions such as wind turbines and barbed-wire fences, and predation.

ʻAkohekohe (Crested Honeycreeper)

These large birds make their home on the summit of Haleakalā on Maui. Hawaiians call the crested honeycreeper akohekohe. The Endangered Species Act now protects the bird. Their numbers have dropped drastically in the last few decades, leaving only an estimated 3,800 birds.

The ʻAkohekohe has been critically endangered since 1967 and is threatened by avian diseases, habitat loss, small population sizes, and climate change. It lives in wet and damp forests containing ʻōhiʻa, ʻōlapa, acacia koa, and kāwaʻu trees.

ʻIʻiwi (Scarlet Honeycreeper) and Forest Birds

Of the 50 or so species of Hawaiian honeycreepers, less than half remain. The brilliantly red ʻiʻiwi, an important ʻōhiʻa pollinator, is vulnerable to the same threats that wiped out other forest birds: habitat loss, predation by non-native mammals, and avian malaria. You can read more about animals that have gone extinct to understand the stakes of inaction.

Of 84 forest bird species known from either the fossil record or human observation, 58 have gone extinct. Of the 26 species that remain, 24 are listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as vulnerable, near-threatened, threatened, endangered, or critically endangered.

Oahu Tree Snail (Achatinella)

Oahu Tree Snails are about 3 to 4 inches in length and can mostly be seen inhabiting the native forests on the highest ridges of the Koʻolau and Waiʻanae ranges. They are nocturnal and graze on the fungus that grows on the leaves of native plants.

Threats such as destruction of native forests, predators such as rats, alien snails, and chameleons, invasive vegetation, and human encroachment are the reason why their population has consistently declined.

Pro Tip: If you’re visiting Hawaii and want to spot wildlife responsibly, stick to designated wildlife viewing areas and use binoculars rather than approaching animals directly. Many of these species are also found near other dangerous animals in Hawaii — keeping your distance protects both you and the wildlife.

What You Cannot Do Around Endangered Animals in Hawaii

Both federal and state law use the term “take” to describe the full range of prohibited actions. “Take” means “to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, collect, or attempt to engage in any such conduct.” This definition is intentionally broad — even indirect harm counts.

Under Hawaii state law, it is unlawful for any person to possess, process, sell, offer for sale, deliver, carry, transport, or ship any threatened or endangered species, or to violate any rule pertaining to the conservation of the species listed under state law.

Here is a breakdown of the specific rules for Hawaii’s most commonly encountered protected species:

• Hawaiian Monk Seals: It is a violation of federal and state law to intentionally disturb, affect the behavior of, or cause an interaction with a Hawaiian monk seal. If you encounter one on shore, stay at least 50 feet away. If you encounter one in the water, swim away from the animal.
• Sea Turtles: It is a violation of federal and state law to intentionally disturb or affect the behavior of a sea turtle. If you encounter one on shore, stay at least 10 feet away. Do not harass, harm, kill, or keep sea turtles in captivity without a permit, or sell any sea turtle parts or products.
• Humpback Whales: Federal law states that no one may approach a humpback whale within 100 yards in Hawaiian waters. This means all ocean users — boaters, swimmers, surfers — must stay at least 100 yards from any humpback whale at all times.
• Spinner Dolphins: Federal law prohibits swimming with, approaching, or remaining within 50 yards of spinner dolphins in Hawaiʻi.
• All Marine Mammals: Pursuing and feeding marine mammals is prohibited by federal law.

Common Mistake: Many visitors assume that simply touching a resting monk seal or sea turtle is harmless. It is not. Incidents of visitors disturbing Hawaiian monk seals have gone viral and prompted NOAA investigations. In one case, a woman touching a monk seal on Kauaʻi was fined, and the couple publicly apologized. Ignorance of the law is not a defense.

You should also be aware that getting close to these animals may constitute a federal or state violation if the animal is disturbed or if your action has the potential to disturb its natural behavioral patterns. The law does not require that you physically touch an animal — causing behavioral disruption is enough to trigger a violation. This is especially relevant if you’re also watching out for venomous animals in Hawaii in the same coastal environments.

Endangered Species on Private Land in Hawaii

One of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of endangered species law is the assumption that it only applies on public land. That is incorrect.

The prohibition against “taking” an endangered species applies to actions occurring on private land as well as state or federal public land, and financial penalties apply for violating the prohibition. This is a binding federal rule that no property deed can override.

The ESA has the potential to substantially restrict agricultural and land-use activities because many of the protections provided for threatened and endangered species under the Act extend to individual members of the species when they are on private land. Approximately 90 percent of endangered species have some habitat on private land, with almost 70 percent having over 60 percent of their total habitat on non-federal lands.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, nearly half of all federally protected threatened and endangered species have at least 80 percent of their habitats on private land. In Hawaii, this is especially significant given the density of listed species across the islands’ diverse ecosystems.

If you own land in Hawaii and are concerned about how these rules affect your property, there are legal mechanisms available:

• Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs): All habitat conservation plans, safe harbor agreements, incidental take licenses, and subsequent actions authorized under those plans shall be designed to result in an overall net gain in the recovery of Hawaii’s threatened and endangered species.
• Safe Harbor Agreements: These voluntary agreements allow private landowners to undertake activities that may incidentally affect listed species, in exchange for conservation commitments.
• Incidental Take Licenses: Issued by the state under HRS 195D, these licenses provide legal cover for unavoidable, minor impacts when a landowner is actively participating in conservation.

Important Note: Plant species on private land are not covered by the federal ESA unless there is a federal nexus — such as a federal permit, federal funding, or a federal agency involvement. However, Hawaii’s state law (HRS 195D) does cover plants on private land, so state protections still apply.

If you discover an endangered species on your property, you are not automatically required to halt all activity, but you should consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Islands Office or the Hawaii DLNR before taking any action that could affect the animal or its habitat. Proactive consultation is far less costly than an enforcement action after the fact. You might also find it useful to review how other states handle similar issues — for example, endangered animals in Washington or endangered animals in Virginia face many of the same private-land legal questions.

How to Report an Endangered Animal Sighting in Hawaii

Reporting a sighting — whether it involves an animal in distress, a potential violation, or simply a rare encounter — is one of the most direct ways you can contribute to conservation in Hawaii. Different situations call for different reporting channels.

Marine Animal Emergencies (Stranded, Injured, or Entangled)

Call the 24-hour NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline at 1-888-256-9840. If it is safe, please stay near the animal to keep track of it until a trained response team can arrive. Never try to untangle a marine mammal on your own or without permission and guidance from NOAA.

Too many well-meaning people have been seriously injured or drowned while attempting to save an entangled whale, dolphin, or seal. Your role is to report and monitor — not to intervene physically.

Illegal Activity or Harassment of Protected Species

If you witness someone harassing, touching, or otherwise violating the rules around protected species, report it immediately:

• NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Hotline: 1-800-853-1964 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
• DLNR DOCARE (Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement): Call (808) 643-DLNR (3567) for state-level violations.
• Online: You can also submit tips through the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources website for marine species concerns.

Reporting by Species Type

Pro Tip: When you call to report a sighting or incident, note the exact location (GPS coordinates if possible), the time, the animal species (or your best description), and whether the animal appeared injured or was being disturbed. This information significantly speeds up the response. Similar reporting protocols apply if you encounter endangered animals in West Virginia or other states — always contact the relevant state and federal agencies first.

Penalties for Harming or Taking an Endangered Animal in Hawaii

The penalties for violating endangered species laws in Hawaii are serious, and they operate at both the federal and state levels. You should understand these consequences clearly before you visit or operate in any habitat where protected species are present.

Federal Penalties Under the ESA

Taking a species generally includes causing any harm to a federally protected animal or plant species. Any individual who knowingly takes a listed species can be fined up to $25,000 by the federal government for each violation or instance.

Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and ESA combined, violations can result in federal criminal charges up to $50,000 and/or time in jail. Minor charges can result in fines anywhere from $500 to $12,000.

State Penalties Under HRS Chapter 195D

Violation of the state regulations results in a misdemeanor conviction with both criminal fines and administrative fines that graduate for subsequent convictions.

Hawaii’s state law includes one particularly severe provision for the most endangered species in the islands: a person commits the offense of taking a monk seal if the person intentionally or knowingly takes a Hawaiian monk seal. Any person convicted of taking a monk seal shall be guilty of a class C felony, and the environmental court may impose a fine up to $50,000 in addition to any other sentence.

Here is a summary of the penalty tiers you need to be aware of:

Failure to comply with protections afforded to endangered species can result in fines. That understated warning from official tourism sources barely captures the full weight of what the law can impose. A felony conviction for harming a monk seal, for example, carries lasting consequences beyond any fine.

Common Mistake: Assuming that if you did not intend to harm an animal, you cannot be penalized. Intent matters for the most severe criminal charges, but civil penalties and administrative fines can apply even when harm was accidental — particularly if you ignored posted warning signs or known viewing distance rules.

These legal protections are in place to ensure these species’ populations continue to recover. Interacting with a “protected species” can be a violation of these laws and may result in harm to the animal, inhibit population recovery, or result in fines or other penalties.

Hawaii’s extraordinary biodiversity is inseparable from its legal framework for protecting it. Whether you’re snorkeling off the Kona Coast, hiking near Haleakalā, or managing land on the Big Island, the rules around endangered animals apply to you. Knowing them is not just a legal obligation — it’s part of respecting one of the most ecologically significant places on the planet. For more on Hawaii’s broader wildlife picture, explore the poisonous animals in Hawaii that share these same ecosystems, or learn more about animals that have already gone extinct to understand what’s at stake.