Senate Water and Land committee advises consent to eight DLNR-related nominees; chair flags land-use concern

The Senate Committee on Water and Land on March 12 advised and consented to eight nominees to boards and commissions that advise the Department of Land and Natural Resources, including nominations to the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Natural Area Reserves System Commission, the Hawaii Historic Places Review Board, the Game Management Advisory Commission and the Kaneohe Bay Regional Council.

The committee’s action combined the confirmations into a single motion and the committee chair read the list of nominees before the vote. Senator Chang, chair of the Senate Committee on Water and Land, noted that she would have preferred approving all nominees in a single motion but wanted transparency and testimony on the record: “If I had an opportunity to recommend, I would say, Oh, you know what? They're all great. Let's just do 1 motion and approve everybody,” she said.

Why it matters: these volunteer boards advise DLNR on land use, conservation and cultural-resource matters across the islands. Several nominees, including incumbents, represent local communities and resource-management constituencies; one nomination prompted a formal reservation from Senator Chang tied to how state lands near transit-oriented development (TOD) sites could be used.

Most significant details

- The committee advised and consented to the following nominees: Karen Ono (Board of Land and Natural Resources, term to 06/30/2028); Jay Peneman (Natural Area Reserves System Commission, term to 06/30/2028); Adrienne Trulock (Hawaii Historic Places Review Board, term to 06/30/2028); Trisha (Tricia) Watson (Hawaii Historic Places Review Board, term to 06/30/2028); Jason Sanborn (Game Management Advisory Commission, term to 06/30/2028); Frederick Rapun, Cedric Burleman and Jeffrey Kaluhiva (Kaneohe Bay Regional Council, terms as listed). The chair’s recommendation to advise and consent was adopted.

- Senator Chang recorded a reservation on GM 5 30, the nomination of Karen Ono to the Board of Land and Natural Resources, citing long-standing concern that some DLNR land near East Kapolei rail stations has been planned for commercial development (including warehouses) rather than affordable housing. Senator Chang told the committee she has “expressed my concerns with your department” and that her support for nominees has been contingent on positions related to that land-use issue.

- Karen Ono, the nominee, told the panel she has served on the Board of Land and Natural Resources for several years and described her background: “I’ve served on [the] Board of Land and Natural Resources now for a couple of years … learning everything from mauka to makai and in between land, water, fish, birds.” She said she previously served as executive director of the Kauai Board of Realtors and emphasized the need for interagency coordination on infrastructure and housing.

- DLNR representatives told the committee the department is still in early planning and has not submitted any board submittal regarding specific development at East Kapolei. A DLNR representative said the department’s environmental planning for the parcel includes both affordable housing and commercial uses and that DLNR is coordinating with the Hawaii Community Development Authority and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

- On natural-area and legacy lands issues, witnesses and agency staff said the legacy lands purchase program relies substantially on conveyance-tax revenue and that pending legislation could affect that funding stream. Emma Yuen (DLNR staff) told senators that reestablishing a previously abolished staff position that supported the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) would be desirable but is not included in the executive budget; NARS has limited staff capacity.

- On historic preservation, the committee heard that the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) has been working through a backlog of National Register nominations and recently filled a staff position intended to help move state nominations into the National Park Service process. Jessica Puff, SHPD administrator, said the office had forwarded more than 10 nominations to the National Park Service in the week before the hearing and that listing a property on the state register happens immediately after the board votes; additional federal review requires completed nomination forms that meet National Park Service standards.

- Game management and Kaneohe Bay nominees were presented as reappointments from local communities. Division and council administrators said these nominees are active, attend meetings and serve as local “eyes and ears” on resource issues.

Votes at a glance

- GM 05:30 — Karen Ono (Board of Land and Natural Resources), term to 06/30/2028 — action: advise and consent (adopted). Senator Chang recorded a reservation on this item. - GM 05:82 — Jay Peneman (Natural Area Reserves System Commission), term to 06/30/2028 — action: advise and consent (adopted). - GM 05:84 — Adrienne Trulock (Hawaii Historic Places Review Board), term to 06/30/2028 — action: advise and consent (adopted). - GM 06:38 — Trisha Watson (Hawaii Historic Places Review Board), term to 06/30/2028 — action: advise and consent (adopted). - GM 05:03 — Jason Sanborn (Game Management Advisory Commission), term to 06/30/2028 — action: advise and consent (adopted). - GM 07:01 — Frederick Rapun (Kaneohe Bay Regional Council), term to 06/30/2027 — action: advise and consent (adopted). - GM 07:02 — Cedric Burleman (Kaneohe Bay Regional Council), term to 06/30/2028 — action: advise and consent (adopted). - GM 07:03 — Jeffrey Kaluhiva (Kaneohe Bay Regional Council), term to 06/30/2028 — action: advise and consent (adopted).

What was not decided or remains uncertain

The committee did not adopt any new board submittals or land-use decisions; DLNR staff told senators no specific proposal regarding East Kapolei had been submitted to the BLNR. The committee’s action was limited to advising and consenting to the nominees; any future actions on land disposition, leases or development must follow DLNR’s administrative process and, where required, come before the board for decision.

Ending

Committee members praised the volunteers’ service and the hearing concluded with the chair calling the decision vote. Chair Chang asked the public and nominees to remain for a photograph and noted the committee would not recess; Senator Chang’s reservation on GM 05:30 remains on record for the nominee to the Board of Land and Natural Resources.