The mission of the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources is to "enhance, protect, conserve and manage Hawaiʻi's unique and limited natural, cultural and historic resources held in public trust for current and future generations of the people of Hawaiʻi nei, and its visitors, in partnership with others from the public and private sectors."

[2] The department must follow the Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules Title 13, which details the procedures carried out by the DLNR.

It is composed of seven members, one from each land district and three at large, and the chairperson, who is the executive head of the department.

Members are nominated with the consent of the Senate and are appointed by the Governor for a four-year term.

The DLNR has seven committees and councils, including the Aha Moku Advisory Committee, the Endangered Species Recovery Committee, the Hawaiʻi Historic Places Review Board, the Island Burials Councils, the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission, the Legacy Land Conservation Commission, the Natural Area Reserves Commission.