Hawaii Gov. David Ige picks former Hawaiian Homes Commissioner to serve on Board of Land and Natural Resources

Gov. David Ige has nominated Doreen “Pua” Canto, who has served on a number of local boards and commissions, including the Hawaiian Homes Commission and the Maui Police Commission, to fill a vacant seat on the state’s Board of Land and Natural Resources.

Canto will be replacing the Maui seat vacated by James Gomes, who has served on the land board for two consecutive four-year terms and is ineligible to serve any longer.

Gomes’ term ended on June 30, and Canto will begin serving immediately.

“Doreen’s long history of community volunteerism and as a small business owner, along with her deep knowledge of and appreciation for Hawai‘i and our natural and cultural resources, made her an outstanding pick to serve on the BLNR,” Ige said in a statement.

Canto is now one of two women now serving on the seven-member board. The other is BLNR chairwoman Suzanne Case. Sen. Lorraine Inouye (D, Kaupulehu-Waimea-North Hilo), who chairs the Senate committee BLNR nominees go through during their confirmation process, said another woman should serve on the board.

Canto, a Native Hawaiian who is currently a processing assistant for the cannabis dispensary Maui Grown Therapies, served on the commission for the Department of Hawaiian Homelands from 2014-2017 and was the chairwoman of the Maui Police Commission from 2005-2010.

“As a people, we are blessed with the richness of a beautifully diverse culture. It will be a privilege to serve the people of Maui Nui, and the greater Hawai‘i nei and more importantly to be part of our legacy,” Canto said in a statement. “It is an honor and I look forward to contributing to the DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources) as a state land board member. While I have much to learn, I fully embrace this opportunity.”

She has also served on the Waiohuli Hawaiian Homesteaders Association Board, the Boys and Girls Club of Maui Board and the Maui County Fire and Public Safety Commission.

Canto, a Baldwin High School graduate, earned her associate’s degree at the University of Phoenix.

Ige’s office has yet to announce a nominee for the land board’s vacant Oahu seat, which had been filled by Samuel Gon. Unlike Gomes, Gon can continue to serve as a holdover until a replacement has been appointment.