Denise Antolini, associate dean for academic affairs and a professor at the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, has been nominated by Governor Neil Abercrombie to the seven-member Commission on Water Resource Management.
The commission administers the state water code. Its general mission involves protection and enhancement of the water resources of Hawaiʻi through wise and responsible management.
Nominated to an at-large seat, her interim appointment is subject to confirmation by the State Senate. Antolini’s selection was one of several by Gov. Abercrombie, who noted that each one of his recent nominees “is well respected in their fields. Their knowledge and experience will be invaluable in moving these boards and commissions forward.”
Law Dean Avi Soifer said Antolini’s appointment is both recognition for her outstanding work in the environmental field in Hawaiʻi, and a tribute to her remarkable career at the School of Law.
Antolini helped establish and build the Environmental Law Program at the law school after joining the faculty in 1996. During her tenure she has been recognized as the school’s Outstanding Professor of the Year in 2004–2005, and was awarded the UH Board of Regent’s Medal of Excellence in Teaching.
“Denise Antolini is amazing,” said Soifer. “She somehow manages to not only teach, mentor and inspire students, but she does exceptionally well as an administrator while also working effectively on many fronts—often without getting credit—to help preserve our fragile environment.”
Read the William S. Richardson School of Law news release for more on Antolini’s nomination.
—By Beverly Creamer
