HONOLULU – Miles Nakahara, a Department of Land and Natural Resources wildlife biologist, has been named the 2007 Outstanding Wildlife Officer of the Year by the Shikar-Safari Club International.

Nakahara was cited for his contributions to DLNR's Division of Forestry and Wildlife, where he also serves as fire management commander on the West Hawai'i Branch wildfire management team. He has also established strong working relationships with different government and private agencies on the Big Island, which facilitate effective responses in times of emergency.

In 2007, he was instrumental in overseeing the suppression of six Big Island wildfires that burned over 10,000 acres and threatened several communities, as well as prime game habitat. Nakahara was able to save the division more than $75,000 last year in helicopter and heavy equipment costs, expenses that would have seriously impacted the division's firefighting budget, DLNR officials said.

"Miles is a dedicated 'can do' employee with 32 years of service, valuable knowledge of our natural resources as a wildlife biologist, and is an outstanding fire manager as well," said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson.

The award comes with a $20,000 insurance policy as well as recognition in the international magazine of the Shikar-Safari Club International as an outstanding wildlife officer.

The Shikar-Safari Club International was founded in 1952, as a group of international hunters who joined to exchange experiences and ideas about hunting. It has since grown into an organization involved in the protection, enhancement and preservation of wildlife species, with particular emphasis on endangered and threatened species.