Gov. David Ige on Wednesday announced that he has nominated Doreen Canto of Kula to fill the Maui seat on the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

She will replace James “Jimmy” Gomes whose second, four-year-term on the board expired at the end of last month.

Doreen Canto. 

According to a press release from the administration, Canto is a Native Hawaiian who previously served as Maui Commissioner for the state Department of Hawaiian Homelands and as chair of the Maui Police Commission.

She is currently employed as a processing assistant for Maui Grown Therapies.

Canto’s nomination is subject to state Senate confirmation, but she will begin serving immediately.

“As a people, we are blessed with the richness of a beautifully diverse culture,” she said in the press release. “It will be a privilege to serve the people of Maui Nui, and the greater Hawaii nei and more importantly to be part of our legacy.”

The BLNR has seven members. There is one other vacancy to fill the seat of Samuel Gon.

Thomas Oi’s term expired last year but he is holdover status for now.

Help power our public service journalism

As a local newsroom, Civil Beat has a unique public service role in times of crisis.

That’s why we’re committed to a paywall-free website and subscription-free content, so we can get vital information out to everyone, from all communities.

We are deploying a significant amount of our resources to covering the Maui fires, and your support ensures that we can pivot when these types of emergencies arise.

Make a gift to Civil Beat today and help power our nonprofit newsroom.

About the Author