Land chief nominee wins senators' approval
By Gordon Y.K. Pang and Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau
A Senate committee has advanced the nomination of a key member of Gov. Linda Lingle's Cabinet despite reservations raised by environmentalists over his support for a Kona golf course and luxury residential development.
The Committee on Water, Land and Agriculture voted 5-0 to give a favorable recommendation yesterday for the nomination of Peter T. Young as director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The nomination must be approved by the full Senate.
Yesterday was the 23rd day of the 60-day session.
Young, 50, is a Waimea real estate appraiser and private planning consultant by profession who has served as deputy managing director to Big Island Mayor Harry Kim since 2000.
In the strongest concerns raised against a Lingle nominee to date, opponents of the Hokuli'a project raised objections to written comments made by Young while he was deputy managing director in which he described the development as "one of the most environmentally sensitive golf courses in Hawai'i."
The DLNR is closely monitored by environmental interests. Among the agency's responsibilities are management of state lands, aquatic resources, boating and ocean recreation, conservation and resources enforcement, forestry and wildlife management, historic preservation and state parks.
Jeff Mikulina, director of the Sierra Club Hawai'i Chapter, questioned how Young could support the project near Kealakekua on the Big Island when a Circuit Court judge said 1250 Oceanside Partners, the project's developers, had allowed sediment runoff to enter marine waters and damage marine life in the area.
"Some of Peter Young's past actions really put his judgment into question," Mikulina testified.
Advertiser library photo • Jan. 14, 2003
Young, however, told lawmakers that his support was for the completed project and based on information backed by Hawai'i County engineers that the course featured a state-of-the-art drainage collection system that is more environmentally safe than conventional means.
Peter Young served as deputy managing director to Big Island Mayor Harry Kim.
Kim, who testified on Young's behalf, concurred. "I think this design of this golf course, when it comes to prevention of leaching into the ocean, is perhaps one of the best in the state, if not the best," the mayor said.
Mikulina and others noted that Young, after becoming land director last month, backed a plan favored by Hokuli'a's developers with regard to preserving a mountainous area believed to contain the ancient burial remains and Native Hawaiian cultural sites.
While all parties agree a 6-foot wall be constructed around the base of the burial area, Young's decision allows Oceanside to put it up at the 120-foot elevation rather than farther down the hill. That gives Oceanside the opportunity to put up five more luxury home lots, Mikulina said. "He's more inclined to keep the developers happy," Mikulina said of Young after the meeting.
Young, however, said he followed the recommendations made by the Big Island Burial Council and two families who are lineal descendants of those buried at the site.
The Sierra Club did not formally oppose Young's nomination although others, including the Native Hawaiian Legal Corp., did object.
A number of Big Island officials and community members testified on Young's behalf, calling him a dedicated public servant who goes out of his way to build consensus among parties with differing views.
Young vowed to work with environmentalists and other interests to ensure the state's natural resources are preserved. "Our greatest challenge as a department is for all, citizens and visitors alike, to recognize that our resources are not limitless, nor are they resilient," he said. "They are scarce and fragile."
Mark Recktenwald also won the endorsement of the Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing Committee yesterday as Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs director.
Recktenwald, a former assistant U.S. attorney here, received unanimous testimony supporting his nomination. Those from the U.S. attorney's office and others described Recktenwald, 47, as a hard-working, professional and open public servant who will be able to balance the needs of businesses and consumers.
Recktenwald told the committee he is exploring reducing various fees collected by the department and will continue to put more services on the Internet.
The Senate Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee yesterday also voted to endorse the nominations of state Attorney General Mark Bennett and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Chairman Micah Kane.
