GOVERNOR LINGLE NOMINATES JONATHAN SCHEUER AS DLNR DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF WATER RESOURCES

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has nominated Jonathan Likeke Scheuer, Ph.D. to serve as the deputy director of water resources for the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).  The Governor will submit Scheuer’s name and resume to the Commission on Water Resource Management for its consideration and approval.  The Commission will review Scheuer’s nomination at its September 23 meeting.

“Jonathan brings more than two decades of experience in the areas of conservation, water rights, and land acquisition and management, which will be invaluable in guiding the Water Commission as it carries out its responsibilities of managing our water resources,” said Governor Lingle.  "In addition to his expertise in environmental policy, Jonathan possesses broad knowledge of native Hawaiian concerns relating to conservation and management of our natural resources.”

For the past decade, Scheuer has been a private consultant to public and private clients on the development of master plans and strategic action plans, including policy analysis, research impact assessment and community relations.

In addition, Scheuer served as the director of land management and was a policy analyst for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.  He led water rights advocacy efforts relating to ‘Îao and Nâ Wai ‘Ehâ on Maui and Waialua River and Blue Hole in Kaua‘i.  He also led acquisition efforts for 28,000 acres of land to preserve valuable cultural and natural resources.

He has been a lecturer on urban and regional planning at the University of Hawai‘i at Mânoa.  He also served as senior natural resource policy specialist with the Sustainable Resources Group International; land evaluation coordinator for Kamehameha Schools; environmental studies teaching and research assistant at the University of California, Santa Cruz; and legislative aide to former Representative Jim Shon.  He also served on the Natural Area Reserves Commission which advises the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the Governor on matters having to do with native ecosystems.

Active in the community, Scheuer is a transitional board member of the Hawai‘i Land Conservancy, board member of the O‘ahu Land Trust, former strategic advisory group member for the Center for Island Climate Change Adaptation and Policy, past director of Mâlama o Mânoa, and former coordinating committee member for Mâlama Hawai‘i.

Scheuer earned his Ph.D. and bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz.  He also holds a masters degree in environmental studies from Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.

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