Anderson Named DLNR DAR Administrator

The Department of Land and Natural Resources has named a new administrator for its Division of Aquatic Resources.

Dr. Bruce Anderson, who is known as a leader in Hawai’i environmental protection, has been appointed to the position. He has more than 20 years of experience in managing health, environmental protection, and marine resource programs, policies, and issues in Hawai’i.

“What particularly impresses me is Bruce’s ability to consistently find solutions to complex problems where conflicting and divergent interests are at stake,” said DLNR Chair Suzanne Case. “He’s a hands-on leader who works collaboratively with others internally and externally. He is well known to many DLNR staff, legislators, stakeholders, and others.”

The beginning of Anderson’s career came in the Hawai’i Department of Health as its  State Environmental Epidemiologist. There, he researched ciguatera fish poisoning and other marine toxins.

Anderson spent 12 years as Deputy Direction for Environmental Health, where he worked with DAR in addressing sewage spills and other pollution. He was appointed by Governor Ben Cayetano as Director of the Department of Health and served on the State Water Commission.

Among Anderson’s experiences was his role as President of Oceanic Institute, where he led a team of over 70 scientists, researchers, and support staff in developing and transferring new aquaculture technologies to the private sector to produce shrimp, fish, and other seafood in an environmentally sustainable manner.

In his most recent position, Anderson served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Hawai’i Health Systems Corporation.

“Bruce obviously loves the ocean.  In addition to growing up here fishing, diving, and surfing, he organized and led the ʻOʻio Tagging Project, a project modeled after DAR’s Ulua Tagging Project, in his free time,” said Case.  “Recently, he worked with John Morgan and staff at Kualoa Ranch to develop a method to successfully grow oysters in a Hawaiian fishpond.  It is a thriving new business now.”

Anderson was born and raised in Hawai`i.  He attended Punahou School before heading to Colorado to study at Colorado College. He later received his Master’s in Public Health from Yale University and a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Hawai`i.

“I am looking forward to this opportunity, and working with the Division of Aquatic Resources team, Chair Case and First Deputy Kaluhiwa, the DLNR staff, and all the stakeholders to better manage our marine resources and freshwater fisheries,” said Anderson. “I have a lot to learn and expect to spend the next month or two doing a lot of listening.”