Hawaii Chairperson of Land and Natural Resources

General information
Office Type: | Nonpartisan
Office website: | Official Link
Compensation: | $154,812
2022 FY Budget: | $179,911,443
Term limits: | None
Structure
Length of term: |  4 years
Authority: | Hawaii Revised Statutes, 171-3
Selection Method: | Appointed by the governor
Current Officeholder
Suzanne Case
Other Hawaii Executive Offices
Governor•Lieutenant Governor•Attorney General•Director of Finance•Auditor•Superintendent of Education•Agriculture Commissioner•Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs•Chairperson of Land and Natural Resources•Director of Labor and Industrial Relations•Public Utilities Commission

## Contents

* 1 Current officeholder
* 1.1 Opposition to chair nominee
* 2 Authority
* 3 Qualifications
* 4 Appointments
* 4.1 Term limits
* 5 Vacancies
* 6 Duties
* 7 Divisions
* 8 State budget
* 9 Compensation
* 9.1 2021
* 9.2 2020
* 9.3 2019
* 9.4 2018
* 9.5 2017
* 9.6 2016
* 9.7 2015
* 9.8 2014
* 9.9 2013
* 9.10 2010
* 10 Historical officeholders
* 11 Recent news
* 12 Contact info
* 13 See also
* 14 External links
* 15 Footnotes

The Hawaii Chairperson of Land and Natural Resources is a state executive position in the Hawaii state government. The chairperson heads the Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources, a seven-person state body responsible for conserving and managing Hawaii's natural resources and the exploitation thereof. The chairperson is the board's executive, and directly manages the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, the agency responsible for implementing the board's policies. Like all Hawaii state executives, the chairperson is appointed by the governor with the consent of the Hawaii Senate.[1]

## Current officeholder[edit]

The current chairperson is Suzanne Case, who was appointed April 7, 2015, by Gov. David Ige (D). The appointment was confirmed by a 23-0 vote in the Hawaii State Senate on April 24.[2][3]

### Opposition to chair nominee[edit]

Gov. Ige named Carleton Ching as his nominee for department chair on January 23, 2015. The announcement drew the ire of local environmental groups concerned about Ching's background as a developer. Ching works as vice president of community and government relations at Castle & Cooke Hawaii, a real estate development firm. A statement opposing the appointment was signed by the Conservation Council of Hawaii along with 21 other groups and 5,000 individuals before delivery to the governor's office. Castle & Cooke's involvement in a 3,500-unit housing development on productive farm land was the focus of the opposition. Ige cited Ching's business experience and their shared vision for the state's land policy in defending the appointment, but the opposition ultimately convinced Ige that Ching would not receive state senate approval. The governor ultimately withdrew Ching's name from contention and nominated Suzanne Case as the new chairperson.[4][5]

## Authority[edit]

The Hawaii Board of Natural Resources and, by extension, the position of chairperson, is created by state law.[6]

Hawaii Revised Statutes, 171-3

(a) The department of land and natural resources shall be headed by an executive board to be known as the board of land and natural resources. The department shall manage, administer, and exercise control over public lands, the water resources, ocean waters, navigable streams, coastal areas (excluding commercial harbor areas), and minerals and all other interests therein and exercise such powers of disposition thereof as may be authorized by law.

The position of chairperson itself is in the next subsection.[7]

Hawaii Revised Statutes, 171-4

(c) The governor shall select a chairperson of the board from among its members. The chairperson shall call and preside at meetings and may appoint a member of the board as secretary. The members of the board shall choose one of their number to act as chairperson during the absence or disability of the chairperson.

## Qualifications[edit]

There are no particular qualifications for the chairperson or members of the board of natural resources, but state law requires that at least one member have a background in "conservation and natural resources," meaning either a college degree in a relevant field, or "work history sufficient to demonstrate an appropriate level of knowledge." Additionally, there may not be more than three members from each political party.[8]

Hawaii Revised Statutes, 171-4

At least one member of the board shall have a background in conservation and natural resources, as evidenced by:

(1) A college degree in a relevant field, including forestry, wildlife conservation, geology, environmental science, or marine biology; or

(2) Work history sufficient to demonstrate an appropriate level of knowledge in the subject of land and natural resources, including parks and recreation, public lands management, natural area reserves, aquatic resources, boating and recreation, forestry and wildlife, water resources management, or conservation and resources.

## Appointments[edit]

Hawaii state government organizational chart

All members of the board of natural resources, including the chairperson, are appointed by the governor with the consent of the state senate. Of the board's seven members, four represent one of each of Hawaii's land districts, and three serve at large. Board members serve four-year terms, beginning on January 1 of the year after they were appointed and expiring on December 30 four years later.[9]

### Term limits[edit]

No board member may be appointed to more than two consecutive terms.[9]

## Vacancies[edit]

Section 26-34 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes provides that vacancies in the board be filled according to Article V, Section 6 of the Hawaii Constitution. If a vacancy occurs, the governor appoints a replacement with the consent of the state senate. If the state senate is out of session when the vacancy occurs, the governor may appoint a temporary replacement to exercise the powers of attorney general until the legislature reconvenes.[9]

## Duties[edit]

See Energy policy in Hawaii for information on the state's energy portfolio and goals.

The chairperson is the executive member of the Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources and is the administrative head of the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. The board sets out conservation and regulatory policy for Hawaii's land, air water and other natural resources, which the department then implements.[10]

## Divisions[edit]

As of January 14, 2021, the Hawaii Office of Land and Natural Resources contained the following divisions:

* Aquatic resources
* Boating and Ocean Recreation
* Bureau of Conveyances
* Conservation and Coastal Lands
* Conservation and Resources Enforcement
* Engineering
* Forestry and Wildlife
* Historic Preservation
* Land
* Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands
* State Parks[11]

## State budget[edit]

See also: Hawaii state budget and finances

The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources' budget for fiscal year 2022 was $179,911,443.[12]

## Compensation[edit]

See also: Compensation of state executive officers

The salaries of elected and appointed executives in Hawaii are determined by the Hawaii Commission on Salaries, which was established by constitutional amendment in 2006. Passage of this amendment by the public added the following language to Article XVI of the state constitution:

Article XVI, Section 3.5 of the Hawaii Constitution

| Text of Section 3.5:

There shall be a commission on salaries as provided by law, which shall review and recommend salaries for the justices and judges of all state courts, members of the legislature, department heads or executive officers of the executive departments and the deputies or assistants to department heads of the executive departments as provided by law, excluding the University of Hawaii and the department of education. The commission shall also review and make recommendations for the salary of the administrative director of the State or equivalent position and the salary of the governor and the lieutenant governor.

Any salary established pursuant to this section shall not be decreased during a term of office, unless by general law applying to all salaried officers of the State.

Not later than the fortieth legislative day of the 2007 regular legislative session and every six years thereafter, the commission shall submit to the legislature its recommendations and then dissolve.

The recommended salaries submitted shall become effective as provided in the recommendation, unless the legislature disapproves the entire recommendation as a whole by adoption of a concurrent resolution prior to adjournment sine die of the legislative session in which the recommendation is submitted; provided that any change in salary which becomes effective shall not apply to the legislature to which the recommendation for the change in salary was submitted.

The commission consists of seven members selected by the governor (two seats), the President of the Hawaii State Senate (two seats), Speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives (two seats) and the Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court (one seat). Commissioners meet every six years to evaluate salaries for executive, judicial and legislative officials. Their recommendations go into effect unless the Hawaii State Legislature votes to reject the entirety of the commission's final report. The commission last met in November 2012 and made recommendations for official salaries between 2013 and 2018.[13]

### 2021[edit]

In 2021, the chairperson received a salary of $154,812, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]

### 2020[edit]

In 2020, the chairperson received a salary of $154,812, according to the Council of State Governments.[15]

### 2019[edit]

In 2019, the chairperson received a salary of $147,444, according to the Council of State Governments.[16]

### 2018[edit]

In 2018, the chairperson received a salary of $144,552, according to the Council of State Governments.[17]

### 2017[edit]

In 2017, the chairperson received a salary of $141,720, according to the Council of State Governments.[18]

### 2016[edit]

In 2016, the chairperson received a salary of $138,936, according to the Council of State Governments.[19]

### 2015[edit]

In 2015, the chairperson received a salary of $136,212, according to the Council of State Governments.[20]

### 2014[edit]

In 2014, the chairperson received a salary of $133,536, according to the Council of State Governments.[21]

### 2013[edit]

In 2013, the chairperson received a salary of $103,512. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.[22]

### 2010[edit]

In 2010, the chairperson received a salary of $103,512.

## Historical officeholders[edit]

Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Hawaii Chairperson of Land and Natural Resources has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.

## Recent news[edit]

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Hawaii Chairperson Land Natural Resources. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Hawaii Chairperson of Land and Natural Resources - Google News

## Contact info[edit]

Address:
1151 Punchbowl St.
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: (808) 587-0400
E-mail: dlnr@hawaii.gov

## See also[edit]

Hawaii | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis

|
|

Hawaii State Executive Offices Hawaii State Legislature Hawaii Courts |  2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 Hawaii elections: 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 |  Party control of state government State government trifectas State of the state addresses Partisan composition of governors

## External links[edit]

* Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, "Homepage," accessed January 14, 2021
2. ↑ Honolulu Civil Beat, "Senate Panel Approves of Suzanne Case for Land Board, "April 18, 2015
3. ↑ Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, "Chairperson, Suzanne D. Case," accessed January 14, 2021
4. ↑ Pacific Business News, "Groups urge Hawaii Gov. David Ige to withdraw Ching nomination to DLNR," January 26, 2015
5. ↑ West Hawaii Today, "Groups oppose Ige's land and natural resources nominee," January 26, 2015
6. ↑ Hawaii Revised Statutes, "171-3," accessed January 14, 2021
7. ↑ Hawaii Revised Statutes, "171-4," accessed January 14, 2021
8. ↑ Hawaii Revised Statutes, "171-4," accessed January 14, 2021
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Hawaii Revised Statutes, "26-34," accessed January 14, 2021
10. ↑ Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, "About DLNR," accessed January 14, 2021
11. ↑ Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, "Division and Offices," accessed January 14, 2021
12. ↑ State of Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance, "Department of Land and Natural Resources," accessed April 28, 2021
13. ↑ Commission on Salaries, "Report and Recommendations to the 2013 Legislature," March 18, 2013
14. ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 22, 2022
15. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed January 15, 2021
16. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 15, 2021
17. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 15, 2021
18. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 15, 2021
19. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
20. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
21. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed November 14, 2014
22. ↑ The Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2013, Table 4.11," accessed February 2, 2014

v • e

Natural Resources Commissioners

Elected (by voters)|

Texas • Washington

Appointed (by gov.)|

Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • West Virginia • Wisconsin

Elections|

2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 • 2010

Other|

State executive offices • Chart of state executive officers • News

v • e

State executive offices

Offices|

Governor • Lt. Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Schools • Insurance Commissioner • Controller • Agriculture Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commissioner

States|

Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming

Elections|

2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 • 2010

Features|

Chart of state executive officers • Compensation • Gubernatorial power comparison • How gubernatorial vacancies are filled • Irregular office changes • State executive officials serving in home states • State government trifectas • State of the state addresses • Term limits

v • e

Ballotpedia

About|

Overview • What people are saying • Support Ballotpedia • Contact • Contribute • Job opportunities

* * *

Executive: Leslie Graves, President • Gwen Beattie, Chief Operating Officer • Ken Carbullido, Vice President of Election Product and Technology Strategy

Communications: Alison Graves • Abigail Campbell • Sarah Groat • Lauren Nemerovski • Caitlin Vanden Boom
External Relations: Alison Prange • Moira Delaney • Hannah Nelson
Operations: Meghann Olshefski • Mandy Morris• Kelly Rindfleisch
Policy: Christopher Nelson • Caitlin Styrsky • Molly Byrne • Katharine Frey • Jimmy McAllister • Samuel Postell
Research: Josh Altic, Managing Editor
Tech: Matt Latourelle • Nathan Bingham • Ryan Burch • Kirsten Corrao • Travis Eden • Tate Kamish • Margaret Kearney • Joseph Sanchez

Contributors: Scott Rasmussen

* * *

Editorial|

Geoff Pallay, Editor-in-Chief • Daniel Anderson, Managing Editor • Ryan Byrne, Managing Editor • Cory Eucalitto, Managing Editor • Mandy Gillip, Managing Editor • Jerrick Adams • Victoria Antram • Dave Beaudoin • Jaclyn Beran • Marielle Bricker • Kate Carsella • Kelly Coyle • Megan Feeney • Nicole Fisher • Juan García de Paredes • Sara Horton • Tyler King • Doug Kronaizl • Amee LaTour • David Luchs • Roneka Matheny • Andrew McNair • Jackie Mitchell • Elisabeth Moore • Ellen Morrissey • Mackenzie Murphy • Samantha Post • Paul Rader • Ethan Rice • Myj Saintyl • Maddie Sinclair Johnson • Abbey Smith • Janie Valentine • Joel Williams • Samuel Wonacott • Mercedes Yanora

v • e

State of Hawaii
Honolulu (capital)

|

Elections |

What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2022 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures

Government |

Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy