DLNR News Release – MARIGOLD ZOLL SELECTED AS NEW FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE ADMINISTRATOR
STATE OF HAWAIʻI
KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI
JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR
KE KIAʻĀINA
DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
KA ‘OIHANA KUMUWAIWAI ‘ĀINA
RYAN K.P. KANAKA‘OLE
CHAIRPERSON
KA LUNA HOʻOKELE
DAVID D. DAY
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
KA HOPE LUNA HOʻOKELE
MARIGOLD ZOLL SELECTED AS NEW FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE ADMINISTRATOR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2026
HONOLULU – Marigold Zoll has been selected to lead the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW). With a staff of more than 200 professionals from various fields and backgrounds, Zoll will oversee DOFAW’s ongoing efforts to care for more than one million acres of state lands, including 57 forest reserves, 23 natural area reserves, 46 wildlife sanctuaries, precious forested watersheds, as well as 855 miles of public access trails to hunting and recreation areas statewide.
“This is one of the biggest jobs at DLNR and Marigold has already made a fast start, jumping in and taking care of the DOFAW administrator’s many duties and responsibilities,” said Board of Land and Natural Resources Chairperson Ryan Kanakaʻole. “Marigold knows DOFAW, its people and the work DLNR does across Hawaiʻi. She brings years of experience and a strong commitment to protecting Hawaiʻi’s natural and cultural resources.
“Just as importantly, Marigold understands that this work depends on our people, our communities and strong partnerships. We are fortunate to have someone with Marigold’s institutional knowledge and capabilities step into this important leadership role,” Kanakaʻole added.
Her duties include managing wildfire response across 60% of the island chain, along with programs that restore natural and cultural resources from mauka to makai. She will also oversee programs that are doing critical work to preserve Hawaiʻi’s unique native plant and animal species, particularly 487 critically endangered or threatened species that represent 30% of the nation’s imperiled biodiversity.
“The misty forests of Kōkeʻe, the protected waters of Moloaʻa Bay and the clear mountain streams of Wailua are the foundation of my love for Hawaiʻi,” Zoll said. “My years at Forestry and Wildlife have transformed my understanding and appreciation of the full breadth of our work — the natural and cultural heritage we care for — and the historical context in which we do it.”
“My priorities are to support data-informed decisions, create meaningful impact and provide excellent public service — all while honoring traditional knowledge and building trust with the communities we serve,” Zoll said.
In addition to her former role serving as DOFAW’s Oʻahu Branch Manager, Zoll’s career includes experience with federal agencies and nonprofits in natural resource management, regulatory work and conservation.
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RESOURCES
(All images/video courtesy: DLNR)
Photographs – Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife Administrator Marigold Zoll: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/toudaznayeu947uv474qa/AIC5RWryMSwqz7nr30hhHD4?rlkey=5gahkkoab596lhzvpimzumjqc&st=mtz14ujn&dl=0
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