Governor Elect Abercrombie Appoints Kaulukukui as Deputy Director of DLNR

According to New Day Hawaii, governor elect Neil Abercrombie appointed Guy Kaulukukui as Deputy Director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources ("DLNR"). If confirmed, Kaulukukui will be second in command under William Aila Jr., who was appointed as director and chairman of DLNR early last week.

According to New Day Hawaii, Kaulukukui is

. . . the Associate Director for Strategic Partnerships at The Kohala Center, a research, education, and policy institute on Hawaii Island that focuses on food self-reliance, energy independence and ecosystem health. Prior to that, Dr. Kaulukukui was a visiting professor of economics at UH-Hilo, senior adviser and chief of staff to Honolulu City Council Chairman Todd Apo, and Vice President for Cultural Studies at the Bishop Museum. Dr. Kaulukukui, 50, graduated from Kamehameha Schools and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from UH-Manoa, Master’s of Business Administration from Hawaii Pacific University and a Ph.D. in Economics Education from the University of Kansas.

Kaulukukui would replace deputy directors Russell Tsuji and Ken C. Kawahara.