Kaulana Park, deputy director of the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, has been nominated to be the agency's next director.

Park will replace Micah Kane, who will resign Aug. 12 to become a Kamehameha Schools trustee.

Park's appointment by Gov. Linda Lingle yesterday is subject to approval by the Hawaiian Homes Commission and confirmation by the state Senate when it reconvenes early next year.

Park, a 1980 Kamehameha Schools graduate who later received an engineering degree from Stanford University, has been with DHHL since 2003, much of the time as Kane's executive assistant. He has been deputy director since February 2008. In July 2006, Lingle temporarily reassigned Park, appointing him to coordinate the state's anti-homelessness efforts.

Park also is former manager of the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund.

"Kaulana is an outstanding leader who is able to bring people together to focus on our common goal of improving the quality of life for Hawai'i's residents, fulfilling our commitment to Native Hawaiians and uplifting the entire community," Lingle said in a news release.

Kane, 40, was appointed a a Kamehameha trustee last month by state Probate Judge Colleen Hirai. He replaces retired Adm. Robert Kihune, whose term as trustee expired at the end of July.

Kane, a 1987 Kamehameha graduate, was appointed from a list of three candidates. The trustee job pays $90,000 annually.