The state Department of Land & Natural Resources is seeking experienced and interested people to serve on an Ahupuaa Advisory Council at Puuwaawaa, North Kona, Hawaii, which consists of about 100,000 acres. Advisory council being
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Members of the advisory council would advise the department in management of the state-owned area regarding fire protection, public access, ecotourism, native ecosystem and endangered species management, game management, infrastructure, community stewardship and funding.
Five major areas of expertise have been identified as desirable to have represented on the Ahupuaa Advisory Council.
Nine members will be selected: three each for natural resource management and public use, and one for each of the other three areas. The areas of expertise are:
>> Range management (one member): Expertise in ranching, ranching systems and interactions with other open-range animals such as sheep, goats and pigs.
>> Natural resource management (three members): Expertise in ecosystem functioning, forest restoration, fire protection, endangered species recovery and invasive species.
>> Business management (one member): Expertise in business planning and projections, finances and budgeting, fund raising and ecotourism.
>> Cultural knowledge (one member): Expertise in both archaeological and current Hawaiian protocol and cultural resources relevant to Puuwaawaa and the surrounding area.
>> Public use (three members): Expertise in outdoor recreation development and management (such as hunting, hiking, nature study, equestrian use and mountain biking) and policy issues relating to public use.
Applications are due by April 15. Application forms are available on the DLNR Web site, www.state.hi.us/dlnr, or from Division of Forestry and Wildlife offices in Hilo, Waimea or Honolulu.
Please send applications to the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Hawaii Branch Office, P.O. Box 4849, Hilo, HI 96740. You may also fax to 808-974-4226 or e-mail dofawha@ dofawha.org. Applications will be accepted that are postmarked, faxed or received via e-mail by that date.
No more than half the members will be appointed initially to two-year terms, and no more than half will be appointed initially to one-year terms. All appointments are potentially renewable for additional two-year terms. For more information, call 808-974-4221.