NARS Commission

NARS Commission

An image of the north Kauaʻi shore

The Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission members act in an advisory capacity for the Board of Land and Natural Resources, which sets policies for the Department. Meeting documents relating to the commission, including agendas and minutes, are below.

An image of an ʻakoko flower

An ʻakoko flower in Kuʻia NAR

About the NARS Commission

Hawai‘i Revised Statutes §195-6  contains rules that govern the membership, procedures, and administrative details of the commission. Hawai‘i Revised Statutes §195-7 outlines the  powers and duties of the commission, including:

(1)  Establish criteria to be used in determining whether an area is suitable for inclusion with the reserves system;

(2)  Conduct studies of areas for possible inclusion within the reserves system;

(3)  Recommend to the governor and the department areas suitable for inclusion within the reserves system;

(4)  Establish policies and criteria regarding the management, protection, and permitted uses of areas which are part of the reserves system;

(5)  Advise the governor and the department on any matter relating to the preservation of Hawai‘i’s unique natural resources;

(6)  Develop ways and means of extending and strengthening presently established preserves, sanctuaries, and refuges within the State;

(7)  Advise the department and other public agencies managing state-owned land or natural resources regarding areas under their respective jurisdictions which are or may be appropriate for designation as natural area reserves; and

(8)  In carrying out the above duties, consult the most comprehensive up-to-date compilation of scientific data on the communities of natural flora and fauna of Hawai‘i. [L 1970, c 139, pt of §1; am L 1987, c 350, §5] 

Current Commissioners

For details of current commissioners, please contact Forestry & Wildlife.

Name Specialization
Thorne Abbott Geology
Ms. Michelle Clark Ecology
Dr. Pat Hart Designee for President, University of Hawai‘i
Ms. Hi‘ilei Kawelo Cultural Practitioner 
Ms. Janis Matsunaga Designee for Department of Agriculture Chair
Mr. Jay Penniman Biology
Dr. Donald Drake Botany
Vacant Hiker
Dr. Norine Yeung Zoology
Ms. Mary-Alice Evans  Director, Office of Planning, Ex officio
Mr. Jeffery Saito Hunting
Ms. Allison Cohan Natural Resource Management 

NARS Commission Meeting Documents

Documents from previous NARS Commission meetings are available below. Agendas and minutes for NARS Commission meetings are also posted on the State of Hawaiʻi eCalendar.

CANCELLED: NARS Commission Meeting October 17, 2023

Please note that the meeting for October 17, 2023 has been cancelled.

 

2019, August 22: NARSC and FSAC Joint Consultation Meeting
2017, May 25: NARSC and FSAC Joint Consultation Meeting
2015, July 30: NARSC Meeting
2015, 15: NARSC Commercial Use Subcommittee Meeting
2015, April 27: NARSC Meeting
2013, November 22: NARSC Natural Area Partnership Program Subcommittee Meeting
2013, June 17: NARSC Meeting
2012, November 29-30: NARSC Meeting

November 29-30, 2012 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission

Click here for the Meeting Agenda

Meeting Materials
2010, January 20: NARSC Meeting

January 20, 2010 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission

Click here for the Meeting Agenda (includes agenda for Enhancement Subcommittee meeting)

Meeting Materials
2009, May 4: NARSC Meeting

May 4, 2009 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission

Click here for the Meeting Agenda

Meeting Materials
2009, April 6: NARSC Meeting

April 6, 2009 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission

Click here for the Meeting Agenda
Includes minutes from previous meetings and other submittals including permit applications

Meeting Materials
2008, October 7: NARSC Enhancement Subcommittee Meeting

October 7, 2008 meeting of the Enhancement Subcommitte of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission

Click here for the Meeting Agenda

Meeting Materials
2008, September 15: NARSC Meeting

September 15, 2008 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission

Click here for the Meeting Agenda

Meeting Materials
2008, June 30: NARSC Meeting

June 30, 2008 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission

Click here for the Meeting Agenda

Meeting Materials
2008, June 4: NARSC Meeting

June 4, 2008 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission

Click here for the Meeting Agenda
Also includes agenda for the subsequent meeting of the Enhancement Subcommittee

Meeting Materials
2008, April 21: NARSC Meeting

April 21, 2008 meeting of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission

Meeting Materials
Miscellaneous Documents

Hawai‘i State Ethics Commission “The High Road” (October 2008)
The newsletter of the Hawai‘i State Ethics Commission

Request to recognize the importance of protecting thirteen dominant native forest species
Letter from NARSC to Board of Agriculture