Land board
chief greeted
with mixed
emotions

One environmental group
praises Tim Johns, but
another knocks him

By Craig Gima
Star-Bulletin

The man nominated to replace Michael Wilson as chairman of the state Board of Land and Natural Resources is viewed with both praise and suspicion by environmentalists.

The governor yesterday named Tim Johns, deputy director of the state Water Commission, to replace Wilson, who will become state consumer advocate, representing consumers in cases before the Public Utilities Commission.

"I'm pleased Tim Johns has been nominated because I think Tim is a bright guy. I think he has integrity. I'm optimistic he'll do a good job and do what he believes is right," said Paul Achtitoff of the Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund.

But Jeffrey Mikulina, new director of the Sierra Club's Hawaii chapter, said the loss of Wilson is "devastating to the environmental community."

Mikulina noted Johns used to be an attorney for Amfac/JMB and managed the company's development divisions on Oahu and Kauai. "I don't know much about Tim Johns but it doesn't sound positive," Mikulina said.

Johns said he brings a balance to his new role. He pointed out that he has also worked as director of protection at the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii and served on the board of directors for the Audubon Society and the Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund.

"There is a need for balance between allowing economic development, promoting economic development -- which we clearly need to do -- against preserving the environment for future generations and we have to look at that on a case-by-case basis," Johns said.

He praised Wilson and said he hopes to finish many of the environmental initiatives in managing aquatic resources and forestry.

But Johns said it is too early to say what his priorities will be.

Wilson wanted to stay on for a second term as Land Board chairman but would not say why he was replaced. "I don't think there's a specific reason," he said.

Environmental groups were upset that the governor ran for re-election on a pro-environmental platform that included his appointment of Wilson and then did not reappoint Wilson to the job.

"I'm hesitant to say backstabbing, but this is almost what it feels like," said Mikulina.

Henry Curtis of the environmental group Life of the Land said he believes Wilson will open the consumer advocate's office to more public input.

Life of the Land has been active against the construction of new Hawaiian Electric Co. power lines on Waahila Ridge, but Curtis said he does not believe the issue will come before the consumer advocate's office or the Public Utilities Commission soon.

"I'm sure he (Wilson) will evaluate the (Waahila Ridge) proposal on the merits," said Heco spokesman Chuck Freedman.

The appointments become effective Jan. 20.