Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources

The Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is a part of the Hawaiʻi state government dedicated to managing, administering, and excerising control over public lands, water resources and streams, ocean waters, coastal areas, minerals, and other natural resources of the state of Hawaiʻi. The mission of the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources is to “enhance, protect, conserve and manage Hawaiʻi's unique and limited natural, cultural and historic resources held in public trust for current and future generations of the people of Hawaiʻi nei, and its visitors, in partnership with others from the public and private sectors.” The organization oversees over 1.3 million acres of land, beaches, and coastal waters and 750 miles of coastal land.

The DLNR is established in the Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes §26-15 and establishes the Board of Land Natural Resources as the governing entity. The department must follow the Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules Title 13, which details the procedures carried out by the DLNR.

The DLNR is headed by an executive board, the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR). It is composed of seven members, one from each land district and three at large, and the Chairperson, who is the executive head of the Department. Members are nominated with the consent of the Senate and are appointed by the Governor for a four year term. No more than three members can be from the same political party and any member having an interest in any matter before the board must recuse themselves from voting or discussing the matter with the rest of the board. One member must have a background in conservation while another member must have demonstrated knowledge of Native Hawaiian traditions and practices. The Chairperson is a full-time position appointed by the Governor of Hawaiʻi. The Board convenes twice monthly on the second and fourth Fridays of the month. At these meetings, testimony from the public about programs, development plans, etc. are presented.

The Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) administers the 1987 State Water Code, Chapter 174C of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. "It has jurisdiction over land-based surface water and groundwater resources, but not coastal waters and generally, it is responsible for addressing water quantity issues, while water quality issues are under the purview of the Hawaii Department of Health. Of the seven commission members, two are members by virtue of office and five, who must have "substantial experience in water resource management", are appointed by the Governor. One term lasts four years. The Chairperson of the Commission is the Chair of the BLNR. The chairperson appoints the CWRM Deputy Director,

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