Gov. Josh Green of Hawai'i made headlines with his latest appointments to the state’s Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) and the Stadium Authority. Announced yesterday, Green has put forward names that are expected to influence how Hawai'i’s lands and sports infrastructure will be managed in the future. As reported by the Office of the Governor, the selections come with an emphasis on experience and community ties.
The BLNR, critical to the administration of Hawai'i’s public lands and natural resources, now welcomes Denise Iseri-Matsubara and Calvin Young among others to its ranks. To subtly highlight, Iseri-Matsubara hails from a background in affordable housing and community development, having served as the executive director of both the Mayor’s Office of Housing for Honolulu and the Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corporation. “Protecting Hawai‘i’s public lands and natural resources is central to our identity and our future,” Green said, according to the same Office of the Governor – News Release from his office.
Young brings a wealth of legal expertise to the board with his substantial stint as a litigator and past presidency of the Hawai'i State Bar Association. With a legal career recognized by institutions like Best Lawyers and Chambers USA, his appointment indicates a possible focus on fortifying the BLNR’s regulatory framework. The board, convening bi-monthly, remains an important venue where land leases and Conservation District Use Applications are scrutinized, maintaining an open door for public testimony at each meeting.
On the sports side, Joel Kawachi is set to join the Stadium Authority. With his tenure as the Athletic Director at Moanalua High School and his deep connection to the stadium neighborhood, Green has opted for someone able to closely grasp the community pulse. “The Stadium Authority plays a key role in shaping the future of our state’s sports and entertainment landscape,” Green stated in the Office of the Governor – News Release. As the state looks to embark on major projects, Kawachi’s experience seems poised to be instrumental.
