HONOLULU - The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has named Ed Underwood as new administrator of its Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR).

"We welcome Ed as the head of our boating and ocean recreation division. He has been well received by the boating community during his three months as acting administrator. Ed brings a broad range of experience that will facilitate our commitment to improving the state's boating facilities and strengthening ocean recreation opportunities for residents and visitors," said Peter Young, DLNR chairperson.

Underwood previously held the position of assistant Oahu district manager for DOBOR and most recently was Oahu district manager for DLNR's Division of State Parks.

Underwood has held a captain's license with the U.S. Coast Guard for over 15 years and has operated tugboats as well as large passenger vessels in Hawaii and in Washington State. He also owned and operated a successful marine sports business in Hawaii.

An avid sportsman, Underwood enjoys surfing, fishing and recreational boating. He is also certified as a Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) scuba diver.

Underwood received his B.A. in interpersonal communications from the University of Hawaii in 1985.

DOBOR operates and manages 21 harbors, 50 ramps, 2,122 moorings and berths and 19 piers across the state. The division works in close partnership with DLNR's Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) and the U.S. Coast Guard to make nearshore waters safe. The division is also responsible for registering all vessels in Hawaii which are not documented by the U.S. Coast Guard and for regulating and permitting surf meets, canoe and yachting regattas, ocean swimming events and other ocean events with the concurrence of the U.S. Coast Guard.

For more information, media contact:

Deborah Ward
DLNR Public Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320
Debbie.L.Ward@hawaii.gov

Edward Underwood
Administrator, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation
Phone: (808) 587-1966
Ed.R.Underwood@hawaii.gov

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