Newsmaker




Monday, February 17, 1997

Name: David Smith
Age: 37
Education: Iolani High, Chico State University
Occupation: Wildlife manager
Hobbies: Surfing, kayaking, wood work

The Department of Land and Natural Resources wildlife manager is touted as the key force behind the state's predator control and habitat management programs, which help sustain game bird populations.

It's a dream job for the former Eagle Scout and biological sciences major.

"I've always just enjoyed being in the outdoors," he said. "Some of these areas I'm working now I've been working and playing in since I was a little kid. I have a good feel for them so I'm able to manage them in a way that takes in account long use of the area."

For his efforts, Smith was recognized as Hawaii's 1996 wildlife officer of the year.

DLNR officials credited him with initiating an active game bird rearing and stocking program and personally caring for many of the birds raised and released. As manager for the department's Division of Forestry and Wildlife, he also opened new archery hunting areas and began native sea bird management programs on Oahu and its off-shore islands, as well as Kure Atoll in the northwest Hawaiian Islands.

Oahu has the highest population of hunters in the state, but it also has the smallest number of public hunting areas. Because of Smith's work, game birds on the island have a high success ratio in nesting, DLNR officials said.

Smith has been with the department for nine years and has been wildlife manger for the past five. He's not the typical boss.

"I do everything from managing a $250,000 budget to pounding fence posts," he said. "We do it all. We only have three people in charge of all of Oahu and Kure Atoll - both game and nongame project areas - so we have to keep moving and we have to be real efficient to get things done."

He said he's flattered by the award but "the work that I do, the accomplishments that I am able to produce, are the result of a whole team of people working together."