DLNR Director Turned Down By State Senate

Department of Land and Natural Resources Director Peter Young's re-nomination was turned down by the State Senate on a margin of 8 in favor and 15 against on Tuesday, April 24. I spoke for and voted for Director Young.

Young was widely supported by the Hawaiian community, business and environmental groups including the Sierra Club. He was opposed by a small number of HGEA union workers employed within various divisions of the DLNR.

Most members in the Water, Land, Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs committees based their decision on "not advising and consenting" to Mr. Young's nomination on the testimony and allegations brought forth by the disgruntled union employees. I was the only member of the WAH committee to vote in Peter Young's favor.

The hearing process for Peter Young lasted for a record 5-days, many hours of which were held in "executive session" behind closed doors. Mr. Young was not allowed to attend these sessions and did not get an opportunity to present his "case" until the last day of the hearing process, under oath. Governor Lingle was not allowed to testify.

Lawrence M. Reifurth was confirmed as Director of the Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs by a unanimous floor vote last month. Reifurth replaces Mark Recktenwald who was appointed as Chief Judge to the Intermediate Court of Appeals.

Department of Human Services Director Lillian Koller was confirmed and re-appointed by a full Senate vote of 24 ‚ 0 on April 18. Thirteen majority senators voted "aye with reservations". I supported Ms. Koller fully as she has brought about needed change to the department.

On Monday, April 2 Iwalani White, the appointee for Public Safety Director, was not approved by the Senate. She was defeated by a vote of 9 to 16 after a lengthy session. The Senate Minority and 4 Democrats voted in her favor.

Orion "Ori" Kopelman was nominated by the Governor to be an unpaid volunteer on the Board of Directors of the High Technology Development Corporation. His nomination was turned down in the EDT committee (of which I am a member) and the full Senate on April 27 by a 4 to 17 margin. His qualifications were questioned by the committee despite the fact that he has his own high tech company. Koppelman had all supportive testimony in his March 8 hearing. Political issues may have come into play here. I supported Mr. Kopelman's nomination in committee and on the Senate floor.