NARS Commission
The Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission members act in an advisory capacity for the Board of Land and Natural Resources, which sets policies for the Department.
Hawaii Revised Statutes §195-6 contains rules that govern the membership, procedures, and administrative details of the commission.
Hawaii Revised Statutes §195-7 outlines the powers and duties of the commission:
The commission shall:
(1) Establish criteria to be used in determining whether an area is suitable for inclusion with the reserves system;
(2) Conduct studies of areas for possible inclusion within the reserves system;
(3) Recommend to the governor and the department areas suitable for inclusion within the reserves system;
(4) Establish policies and criteria regarding the management, protection, and permitted uses of areas which are part of the reserves system;
(5) Advise the governor and the department on any matter relating to the preservation of Hawaii's unique natural resources;
(6) Develop ways and means of extending and strengthening presently established preserves, sanctuaries, and refuges within the State;
(7) Advise the department and other public agencies managing state-owned land or natural resources regarding areas under their respective jurisdictions which are or may be appropriate for designation as natural area reserves; and
(8) In carrying out the above duties, consult the most comprehensive up-to-date compilation of scientific data on the communities of natural flora and fauna of Hawaii. [L 1970, c 139, pt of §1; am L 1987, c 350, §5]
View the Meeting History (Minutes, agendas, testimony) of the NARS Commission.
Appointed Members (as of May 1, 2008)
Dr. Dale Bonar, Chair (Marine Biology) (June 30, 2011)
Dr. Scott Rowland, Vice Chair (Geology) (June 30, 2009)
Ms. Rebecca Alakai (Water) (June 30, 2009)
Dr. Richard F. Hughes (Botany) (June 30, 2011)
Mr. Trae Menard (Ecology) (June 30, 2011)
Dr. James D. Jacobi (Monitoring) (June 30, 2010)
Mr. Richard Hoeflinger (Hunter) (June 30, 2009)
Ms. Sylvianna C. Yee (Hiker) (June 30 , 2009)
Ex-officio Members
Mr. Ken C. Kawahara for Chair, Board of Land and Natural Resources
Ms. Mary Lou Kobayashi, Mr Scott Derrickson (Alternate) for Director, Office of Planning
Ms. Colleen Murakami, for Superintendent of Education
Dr. Sheila Conant for President, University of Hawai`i
Mr. Patrick Conant for Chair, Board of Agriculture
