State agency seeks feedback

By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is asking citizens to suggest how the agency can do a better job.

"It's a real challenge for us to do our job with a no-growth budget," said DLNR chairman Peter Young. "We are tasking ourselves and asking the public to help us to come up with specific, creative, problem-solving solutions and ideas."

The six-month, statewide evaluation effort began Thursday.

Young said one of his concerns is whether the department has any services or programs duplicated by another state agency.

"Another is, sometimes government is viewed as not the best entity to do certain things," Young said. "Maybe the private sector, nonprofits or others may be able to do things better. What are some of those types of things?"

DLNR manages state parks, historical sites, forests, reserves and sanctuaries, aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, boating and ocean recreation, game management and public hunting and fishing areas.

Officials asked the public to comment on issues including: core functions DLNR should be doing that it isn't doing now; ways to make DLNR more user friendly; and other possible partnering opportunities.

To send ideas, visit the DNLR Web site, e-mail dlnr@hawaii.gov, fax 587-0390 or write to: DLNR — Make Hawai'i a Great Place to Live, P.O. Box 621, Honolulu, HI 96809.

Include an e-mail address if you would like DLNR to respond directly to your suggestions.