Hawaii Revised Statutes

Haw. Rev. Stat. § 171-4 (2026)

Board of land and natural resources; terms and qualifications of members of the board; organization; expenses

✓ current as of July 2026

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§171-4 Board of land and natural resources; terms and qualifications of members of the board; organization; expenses. (a) The board of land and natural resources shall be composed of seven members, one from each land district and three at large, to be nominated and, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, appointed by the governor as provided in section 26-34. The term and removal of a member of the board and the filling of a vacancy on the board shall also be as provided in section 26-34. There shall be not more than three members on the board from the same political party.

(b) At least one member of the board shall have a background in conservation and natural resources, as evidenced by:

(1) A college degree in a relevant field, including forestry, wildlife conservation, geology, environmental science, or marine biology; or

(2) Work history sufficient to demonstrate an appropriate level of knowledge in the subject of land and natural resources, including parks and recreation, public lands management, natural area reserves, aquatic resources, boating and recreation, forestry and wildlife, water resources management, or conservation and resources.

(c) At least one member of the board, other than the member appointed pursuant to subsection (b), shall have demonstrated expertise in native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices, as evidenced by:

(1) A college degree in a relevant field, such as Hawaiian studies, native Hawaiian law, native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices, or related subject area;

(2) Work history that demonstrates an appropriate level of knowledge in native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices; or

(3) Substantial experience as a native Hawaiian traditional and customary practitioner.

(d) Each member shall disclose and file with the board a list of all transactions with the department of land and natural resources in which the member has a direct interest. The member shall also disclose all transactions with the department involving any corporation, association, partnership, or joint venture in which the member is an officer, partner, or employee. Any member having any interest, direct or indirect, in any matter before the board shall disqualify oneself from voting on or participating in the discussion of the matter.

(e) The governor shall select a chairperson of the board from among its members. The chairperson shall call and preside at meetings and may appoint a member of the board as secretary. The members of the board shall choose one of their number to act as chairperson during the absence or disability of the chairperson.

(f) The members of the board shall serve without pay but shall be entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses while attending meetings and while in the discharge of their duties. [L 1962, c 32, pt of §2; am L 1963, c 10, §1; Supp, §103A-4; HRS §171-4; gen ch 1985, 1993; am L 2001, c 215, §2; am L 2005, c 9, §2; am L 2014, c 104, §2]

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 8 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1975–2024 · leading case: Keep the North Shore Country v. Bd. of Land & Nat. Resources., 506 P.3d 150 (Haw. 2022).

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Keep the North Shore Country v. Bd. of Land & Nat. Resources., 506 P.3d 150 (Haw. 2022). · cites it 22× “Turning first to KNSC’s statutory argument, the statutory scheme of HRS chapter 195D and HRS § 171-4 indicates that a Board member may participate in both the Committee and Board proceedings without violating a statute.”

In re Contested Case Hearing re Conservation Dist. Use Application, 431 P.3d 752 (Haw. 2018). · cites it 4× “" HRS § 84-14 (1993 & Supp. 2012) then provides: A person whose position on a board, commission, or committee is mandated by statute, resolution, or executive order to have particular qualifications shall only be prohibited from taking official action that directly and…”

'O Haleakalâ v. Bd. of Land & Nat. Resources, 382 P.3d 195 (Haw. 2016). · cites it 5× “” Press Release, The White House, Statement by the President on the Passing of Senator Daniel Inouye (Dec.”

Hawaii Elec. Light Co. v. Dep't of Land & Nat. Resources, 75 P.3d 160 (Haw. 2003). · cites it 4× “See HRS § 171-4 (1993) (the Board “shall be composed of six members”).”

In re Contested Case Hearing re Conservation Dist. Use Application, 143 Haw. 379 (Haw. 2018). · cites it 4× “2005), which requires that the BLNR have at least one member “with a background in conservation and natural resources.”

Tanaka v. State, Land & Nat. Resources, 175 P.3d 126 (Haw. App. 2007). · cites it 2× “]" HRS § 171-4(a) (Supp.2006) (footnote added).”

Sierra Club v. Bd. of Land & Nat. Resources. Dissenting Opinion by Nakasone, J. Consol. with CAAP-22-0000519. (Haw. App. 2024). · cites it 2× “) 31 FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST'S HAWAI#I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER officials who are to make the final decision haven't heard and examined all the evidence (which commonly occurs when the officials are volunteers, as are BLNR members, see HRS § 171-4(f) (Supp. 2014)), no final…”

Coray v. Koga, 542 P.2d 1272 (Haw. 1975). · cites it 2× “HRS § 171-4 (Board of land and natural resources).”

— Haw. Rev. Stat. § 171-4(a) — 3 cases

Keep the North Shore Country v. Bd. of Land & Nat. Resources., 506 P.3d 150 (Haw. 2022). “Turning first to KNSC’s statutory argument, the statutory scheme of HRS chapter 195D and HRS § 171-4 indicates that a Board member may participate in both the Committee and Board proceedings without violating a statute.”

'O Haleakalâ v. Bd. of Land & Nat. Resources, 382 P.3d 195 (Haw. 2016). “” Press Release, The White House, Statement by the President on the Passing of Senator Daniel Inouye (Dec.”

Tanaka v. State, Land & Nat. Resources, 175 P.3d 126 (Haw. App. 2007). “]" HRS § 171-4(a) (Supp.2006) (footnote added).”

— Haw. Rev. Stat. § 171-4(b) — 4 cases

In re Contested Case Hearing re Conservation Dist. Use Application, 431 P.3d 752 (Haw. 2018). “" HRS § 84-14 (1993 & Supp. 2012) then provides: A person whose position on a board, commission, or committee is mandated by statute, resolution, or executive order to have particular qualifications shall only be prohibited from taking official action that directly and…”

'O Haleakalâ v. Bd. of Land & Nat. Resources, 382 P.3d 195 (Haw. 2016). “” Press Release, The White House, Statement by the President on the Passing of Senator Daniel Inouye (Dec.”

In re Contested Case Hearing re Conservation Dist. Use Application, 143 Haw. 379 (Haw. 2018). “2005), which requires that the BLNR have at least one member “with a background in conservation and natural resources.”

— Haw. Rev. Stat. § 171-4(c) — 3 cases

— Haw. Rev. Stat. § 171-4(e) — 1 case

— Haw. Rev. Stat. § 171-4(f) — 1 case

Sierra Club v. Bd. of Land & Nat. Resources. Dissenting Opinion by Nakasone, J. Consol. with CAAP-22-0000519. (Haw. App. 2024). “) 31 FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST'S HAWAI#I REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER officials who are to make the final decision haven't heard and examined all the evidence (which commonly occurs when the officials are volunteers, as are BLNR members, see HRS § 171-4(f) (Supp. 2014)), no final…”

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