Four University of Hawaiʻi experts and leaders have been appointed by Gov. Josh Green to the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Marine Affairs. UH Mānoa Provost Michael Bruno, UH Mānoa Institute for Sustainability and Resilience Director Makena Coffman UH Vice President for Research and Innovation Vassilis Syrmos, UH Office of Land and Ocean Conservation Futures Director Suzanne Case were named to the committee on June 10, 2024.
They will join UH Mānoa Daniel K. Inouye Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education Director David Karl who is serving as committee chair. The formation of the committee and Karl’s appointment was announced on Earth Day, April 22, 2024.
“With Professor Karl’s leadership, I am confident that these distinguished individuals bring invaluable expertise and commitment to the preservation of Hawaiʻi’s marine resources,” said Green. “Their contributions will be crucial in guiding the state toward a sustainable and thriving marine ecosystem.”
Karl has been working since April to recruit members of the committee. He will convene members to plan and execute on the principles of the blue economy and collaborate with stakeholders, including Hawaiʻi’s Congressional Delegation, to develop tangible recommendations for sustainable ocean-related policies and initiatives. According to the World Bank, the blue economy is the “sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem.”
“We’ve recruited many of Hawaiʻi’s top leaders from the field of marine conservation and sustainability,” explained Karl. “Today’s announcement marks the start of the next stage in our work.”
Other members of the committee representing government, business and community-based organizations include:
- Greg Asner, director, Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science, Arizona State University
- Gregory Barbour, executive director, Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaiʻi Authority
- Dawn Chang, chairperson, Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources
- Kisan Jo, executive vice president, Retail and Wealth Markets, Central Pacific Bank
- DreanaLee Kalili, deputy director, Harbors Division, Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation
- Charles Littnan, director, Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center, NOAA
- Kuʻuhaku Park, senior vice president, Government and Community Relations, Matson Navigation Inc.
- Greg Rocheleau, chief executive officer, Makai Ocean Engineering
- Patrick Sullivan, president and CEO, Oceanit
- Jennifer Walsh, senior vice president and provost, Hawaiʻi Pacific University
- Andy Winer, executive vice president, Strategies 360
Green expressed confidence in the expertise and dedication of the newly appointed members and emphasized the importance of their contributions to the preservation and sustainable management of Hawaiʻi’s marine resources.
