Is a permit needed to collect rocks from streams?
Yes, a permit is required to take rocks from streams on State land for either personal use or commercial use. Under Chapter 171-3 of the Hawai`i Revised Statutes, DLNR is responsible to protect and preserve the State’s natural resources, by managing, administering, and exercising control over public lands, the water resources, ocean waters, navigable streams, coastal areas (excluding commercial harbor areas), and minerals and all other interests, and exercises such powers of disposition as may be authorized by law. However, in areas (such as rivers, mountains etc.) where resources are in abundance, DLNR’s Land Division can authorize the removal of certain resources (rocks, sand, etc.) through the issuance of a Land License (Chap 171-54, Hawai`i Revised Statutes). For more information, call the DLNR Land Division office on the respective island.
