Commission approves redescription of cultural-resource position to broaden recruitment, increases pay by ~20%

The Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission voted to authorize staff to redescribe a long-vacant Culture Resource Project Coordinator position into a Resource Project Management Coordinator role aimed at broadening recruitment and consolidating project-management and grant-tracking duties across cultural, restoration and ocean programs.

Executive Director Mike said the culture position had been vacant since 2016 and had been eliminated and recreated through multiple budget cycles. He told commissioners the redescription increases the salary roughly 20% over the old classification, broadens duties to include data collection and analysis and grant-tracking, and is intended to make the role more competitive and less “daunting” to applicants.

Several commissioners asked whether the new description would remove essential cultural and archaeological expertise and whether training and subject-matter support would be formalized. Commissioners emphasized the importance of ensuring access to SHPD (State Historic Preservation Division) 6(e)/106 expertise and written support pathways rather than relying solely on informal contacts. Mike and other commissioners confirmed staff will pursue formalized training and shared DLNR division resources and subject-matter experts to support the new hire.

The motion to authorize the redescription passed on a recorded vote. Staff said the draft position description is a first cut and will be circulated to commissioners for input before being submitted to personnel for classification and finalization.