At the Land Board’s meeting of September 12, Bill Devick, acting administrator for the DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources, was presented with an award as the department’s manager of the year by board chairman Michael Wilson. Robert Nishimoto, head of the Division’s Big Island district, was named the department’s employee of the year.
In making the award, Wilson had high praise for Devick. Among other things, he credited Devick with being instrumental in winning legislative approval for a $2 million ocean resources initiative this year. Wilson said Devick’s efforts, which involved mustering support from the fishing, environmental, and business communities, “was one of the most inspiring things I’ve ever been associated with.”
“It’s a tremendous success story, Bill. With your leadership, you never gave up – never gave up,” Wilson said. “There’s a whole list of different projects that represent Bill’s vision and his commitment, and it’s a real credit to our aquatics division that everybody got so organized.”
Among other things, Nishimoto was cited for his work in bringing together diverse interests in developing a plan for managing ocean resources in West Hawai’i.
With Devick having shown such distinguished leadership and vision, one can only wonder why Wilson has kept him on nearly three years as “acting” administrator of the aquatics division. Despite a petition to Wilson urging Devick’s appointment as administrator, which was assigned by dozens of people representing fishing groups and environmental groups across the state, Wilson continues to hold the post open. Indeed, Wilson has offered the job to at least two other parties, Environment Hawai`i has learned, but no one has assumed the position owing to their respect for Devick.
Volume 8, Number 5 November 1997
Leave a Reply