Interisland Renewable Energy Program: Wind Programmatic EIS

US Department of Energy announces its intention to prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement (EIS) with the State of Hawaii as joint lead agencies pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and the Hawaii Environmental Policy Act.

The Hawaii Interisland Renewable Energy Program: Wind Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement will assess the foreseeable environmental impacts which may arise from wind energy development under the Hawaii Interisland Renewable Energy Program (HIREP). Hawaii proposes to facilitate the development of wind-generated electric energy and the required improvements to the existing electric transmission infrastructure in Hawaii. This EIS is the first phase of a programmatic environmental review of developing and increasing renewable energy technologies in Hawaii.

For more on this project and designated comment periods, visit Notice of Intent To Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Hawai‘i Interisland Renewable Energy Program: Wind (DOE/EIS-0459).

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.

Governor Elect Abercrombie Appoints State Senator Kokubun as Department of Agriculture Director

According to the Honolulu Advertiser, Hawaii's governor elect Neil Abercrombie nominated state Senator Russell Kokubun (D, South Hilo-Puna-Kau) to serve as chairman and director of the state Department of Agriculture ("DOA"). Kokubun will replace outgoing director Sandra Lee Kunimoto.

According to his state capitol webpage, Kokubun lists the following experience:

• Member, Senate Health Care Summit Working Group (2010-Present)
• Chair, Senate Ad Hoc Committee (2009)
• Legislator in Residence, UH College of Social Sciences Public Policy Center (2008)
• Chair, Hawai`i 2050 Sustainability Task Force (2005-2008)
• Member, Joint Investigative Committee on Bureau of Conveyances (2007)
• Member, Joint Investigative Committee on Felix Consent Decree (2001)
• Member, Board of Land and Natural Resources (1998-2000)
• Advisor, National Trust for Historic Preservation (1994-1999)

DOA has approximately 300 employees statewide. It is headed by the executive board of agriculture. The executive board is comprised of ten members who are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate: one representative from each of the counties of Hawaii, Kauai and Maui; four at-large members; Chairperson of the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; and the Dean of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources - University of Hawaii.

Pursuant to HRS § 26-16, DOA shall:

1. Promote the conservation, development, and utilization of agricultural resources in the State;
2. Assist the farmers of the State and any others engaged in agriculture by research projects, dissemination of information, crop and livestock reporting service, market news service, and any other means of improving the well-being of those engaged in agriculture and increasing the productivity of the lands;
3. Administer the programs of the State relating to animal husbandry, entomology, farm credit, development and promotion of agricultural products and markets, and the establishment and enforcement of the rules on the grading and labeling of agricultural products; and
4. Administer the aquaculture.