Governor Josh Green recently appointed James (Jay) John Kamealoha Carpio to the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR).

Carpio, a Native Hawaiian born and raised in Wailuku, Maui, has worked as a hunter and guide, rancher, land manager, master fisherman and farmer.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in agriculture and horticulture from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and is a co-founder of the Maui Nui Makai Network and The Limu Hui, two community-based conservation organizations focused on restoring nearshore ecosystems and traditional resource management. He helped revive the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council and, as chair of its Fish Committee, co-founded the Wailuku Coastal Managed Makai Area with his late mentor, kupuna Takeo Miyaguchi, helping expand community-driven marine conservation across Maui Nui.

The BLNR convenes twice monthly (with limited exceptions) to review and take action on matters including land leases and Conservation District Use Applications. Public testimony is accepted at each meeting.

Carpio’s appointment is for a term that ends June 30, 2029.

Photo credit: James Carpio