Hawaii’s natural resources are fragile and finite. The state’s oceans, beaches, mountains, forests, streams and trails are invaluable assets, it’s true, but they represent far more than a "brand" for the tourism industry. They are the foundation of Hawaii’s vital indige- nous culture and the touchstone of the modern society that calls the islands home. They must be cherished, and public access to them protected. Whoever heads the state Department of Land and Natural Resources must fundamentally embrace these beliefs.

We hope that’s the key takeaway for Gov. David Ige as he reflects upon his failed nomination of a real-estate development lobbyist to head the Board of Land and Natural Resources, and the DLNR that board oversees.

No doubt stung by the setback delivered by his former colleagues in the state Senate, it would be easy for Ige to revert to dissecting the episode in political terms, strategizing how to beat his critics next time.

The governor and his team should resist that impulse, though, and instead spend some time poring over the reams of public testimony submitted in opposition to the nominee.

If Ige and his advisers take the time to read through the testimony, they will see that the opposition was not the product of some well-organized fringe group — dismissive as Ige was of environ- mentalists during the confirmation hearing — but an authentic outpouring of voter disappointment and frustration that a lifelong Hawaii resident like Ige could make this pick in the first place.

Diverse groups and individuals articulately, persuasively and emphatically made the case that Carleton Ching was not the right man for this job. No one so closely affiliated with groups that have sought to dismantle protections that DLNR is tasked with upholding would be.

Moving forward, the governor must acknowledge this truth. He should publicly articulate that he recognizes that the BLNR and DLNR are unique among state boards and departments, and that they must be led by a visionary, knowledgeable leader who fully understands and embraces the mission of the department.

Ching referred to the natural world as Hawaii’s "brand" and talked about balancing construction and conservation interests. But sometimes there is no balance to be found. The custodian of Hawaii’s natural resources must err on nature’s side, and on the side of the public trust.

The DLNR’s jurisdiction includes nearly 1.3 million acres of state lands, beaches, and coastal waters, as well as 750 miles of coastline. It oversees state parks; historical sites; forests and forest reserves; aquatic life, wildlife and their sanctuaries; public fishing and hunting areas; boating, ocean recreation, coastal programs; and natural area reserves.

In other words, everything that most people love about Hawaii, and don’t want to lose.

Besides underscoring the importance and broad purview of this department, the Senate confirmation hearing, ably led by Water and Land Committee Chairwoman Laura Thielen, succeeded in highlighting the fact that the DLNR is under-resourced. The department’s operations account for less than 1 percent of the state’s operating budget. Lawmakers and the governor should see to it that the department gains more funding.

Given its vast scope, however, it’s doubtful that the department will ever have all the resources it needs. That’s why whomever is ultimately confirmed as DLNR chief must be a respected leader who enables collaboration across DLNR divisions and expands partner- ships that give local communities more say over how natural resources are managed where they live; both would increase DLNR efficiency.

Community-based regulations, based on traditional and customary practices, can help sustain resources for future generations.

Crafting successful rules, however, requires buy-in from many different stakeholders and requires DLNR to adapt its institutional mindset, especially regarding enforcement. The community of Haena, on the island of Kauai, was first to win BLNR and DLNR approval of site-based rules governing fisheries. Other communities are eager to try.

That’s only one of the many complex issues facing this department. Preserving critical watersheds with cooperation from the owners of private reservoirs; redeveloping underutilized state lands, some of which are leased to long-term tenants who want to keep them; managing wetlands such as Hamakua marsh in Kailua; considering leases for Mauna Kea telescopes; overseeing renovations at the Ala Wai Boat Harbor; and distributing water on Maui are just a few of the many contentious issues.

It will be much easier for Ige’s next nominee to shoulder all this and more if he or she is grounded first and foremost in the importance of conserving Hawaii’s natural world and the public trust.

The DLNR debacle reminded people what they care about, and how much they are willing to stand up for it.