Dawn Chang will retire as head of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources on July 1, with Ryan Kanakaʻole appointed as her replacement by Governor Green.
- Chang led DLNR through wildfire recovery efforts and natural resource stewardship challenges during her tenure.
- Kanakaʻole has been serving as acting director since December 2025 and previously worked as a deputy attorney general.
- David Day will serve as first deputy director starting July 7, bringing environmental law experience.
- The new leadership team will oversee state lands, waters, and cultural resources that affect property development and use.
- Kanakaʻole has experience with military land leases and water resource management issues.
Source: Maui Now
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