[§205A-3.5] Advisory group; establishment; composition. (a) There is established within the lead agency a marine and coastal zone management advisory group.

(b) The advisory group shall be composed of twenty members. Advisory group membership shall include:

(1) The directors of the departments of planning in the counties of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui and the director of the department of land utilization in the city and county of Honolulu;

(2) The attorney general, the chairperson of the board of agriculture, the director of business, economic development, and tourism, the adjutant general, the director of health, the chairperson of the board of land and natural resources, the director of public safety, the director of transportation, and the dean of the school of ocean and earth sciences and technology of the University of Hawaii;

(3) The executive director of the Kahoolawe island reserve commission; and

(4) Six non-government members, who shall be appointed by the governor for staggered terms of not more than two years. These members shall be selected with consideration given to the following criteria:

(A) Statewide geographic distribution; and

(B) Balanced representation from among commercial, environmental, native Hawaiian, recreational, and research interests.

Prior to the appointment of the non-governmental members, the lead agency shall undertake widespread solicitation of applications from persons who are interested in serving on the advisory group.

(d) A coordinating committee may be established to assist the advisory group.

(e) Advisory group and coordinating committee members shall serve without compensation.

(f) The advisory group shall advise the lead agency regarding marine and coastal zone management planning, coordination, and facilitation of functions of the program. The non-government members of the advisory group shall prepare and submit to the legislature, prior to each regular session, a summary of the recommendations appearing in the minutes of the meetings of the advisory group during the prior calendar year and actions resulting from those recommendations. The advisory group shall work toward the establishment and implementation of an integrated and comprehensive management system for marine and coastal zone resources, consistent with the objectives and policies established in this chapter. [L 1995, c 104, §3]