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Council committee forwards Janet R. Britt nomination to PONC with favorable recommendation
Summary
The committee voted to forward the nomination of Janet R. Britt to the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) with a favorable recommendation after a brief introduction and questions about potential conflicts of interest.
The Hawaii County Council Committee on Government Operations and External Affairs voted March 18 to forward the nomination of Janet R. Britt to the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) with a favorable recommendation to the full council.
Why it matters: PONC evaluates county acquisition and protection of open space and natural resources. Nominees typically have backgrounds in land conservation, resource management or relevant community service.
The nomination was introduced by Mike Alameda, executive assistant to the mayor, who described Britt's conservation background including work with The Nature Conservancy in Wyoming and as island director for the Hawaii Island Land Trust (now Hawaii Land Trust). Alameda said Britt helped write a long-range land-use plan for the South Kona Soil and Water Conservation District and volunteers with the Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden.
Janet R. Britt told the committee she had previously applied for PONC-managed grants while volunteering and expressed eagerness to serve. She described a long career in biology and conservation work and said she wanted to help protect island lands and public access.
Council members asked about potential conflicts of interest given Britt's existing nonprofit work; Britt said she was aware of county ethics rules and would recuse as appropriate. Council members praised her qualifications and patience in waiting for the item to be heard after earlier agenda delays.
Vote: The committee closed the file on communication 176 and forwarded Britts nomination to the full council with a favorable recommendation. The clerk recorded seven aye votes; two members were excused. The nomination will next appear on the full council agenda for final confirmation.
Background: Britt holds a bachelor of science in biology and has worked for nearly two decades on conservation projects, including positions with The Nature Conservancy (Wyoming chapter) and Hawaii Island Land Trust. She also worked on USDA-related land-use planning in South Kona and volunteers at a local ethnobotanical garden. Committee members noted these qualifications when voting to forward her nomination.
