Groups air their opposition to governor’s water panel pick

A number of environmental and community groups say they oppose an appointment by Gov. Neil Abercrombie to the state Commission on Water Resources Management.

Members of Earthjustice, the Native Hawaiian Legal Corp., the Sierra Club, the League of Women Voters and other organizations held a news conference Monday on the Iolani Palace grounds to voice their opposition to the nomination of Maui land appraiser Ted Yama­mura to the seven-member commission.

The organizations questioned the selection process and said candidates with water resource management experience were overlooked. Attorney Isaac Mori­wake of Earthjustice said the groups wanted to make clear that their opposition is not a personal attack on Yama­mura.

Moriwake said Yama­mura, as a land appraiser, does not meet the qualifications to serve on the commission as an expert and authority on water resources.

Attorney Camille Kalama of the Native Hawaiian Legal Corp. echoed Mori­wake’s sentiment. "This is not about Mr. Yama­mura personally. I have no doubt he’s a nice person. But there’s one criterion: substantial experience in water resources management. How come we can’t get one person qualified for that?" she said at the news conference.

The state Senate is scheduled to take a final vote on Yama­mura’s nomination today.

Asked to comment on statements opposing his nomination, Yama­mura said, "Everybody’s free to have their own views." He declined further comment.

Abercrombie spokeswoman Dona­lyn Dela Cruz said, "The governor does believe that Mr. Yama­mura is qualified, and he also appreciates his willingness to serve the community."

Yamamura, a principal of ACM Consultants Inc., has been a member of the Maui County Board of Water Supply since 2005. He served on the state Board of Land and Natural Resources from 2001 to 2006.