Protecting Hawaiʻi’s Natural Landscapes
Protecting Hawaiʻi’s natural lands requires more than identifying important places on a map. It involves careful due diligence, coordination across agencies and partners, and long-term stewardship to ensure these places remain protected for generations to come.
At the Department of Housing and Land Management, that work is carried out through the Clean Water and Natural Lands (CWNL) Program, which helps preserve critical watershed areas, open spaces, and culturally significant landscapes across Oʻahu.
Helping guide those efforts is Van Matsushige, division chief of DHLM’s Conservation Office.
Van works within the Conservation Office to support the CWNL Program, collaborating closely with the CWNL team throughout the conservation process.
“My role is specialized,” Van explains, “but I collaborate closely with the CWNL team to manage the process from initial inquiries and due diligence to final closing and long-term monitoring of protected sites.”
“At its core,” he says, “my job is to help ensure the lands meant for conservation are properly vetted and preserved.”
A Passion for Environmental Stewardship
For Van, the work is rooted in a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship.
“I’ve always been driven by a passion for the environment,” he says.
Before transitioning into land conservation, Van spent time in the renewable energy industry, helping local businesses reduce energy costs and lessen Hawaiʻi’s dependence on imported oil.
“Moving into land conservation felt like the natural next step in protecting Hawaiʻi’s resources,” he says.
That sense of purpose continues to guide his work today.
“In Hawaiʻi, land isn’t just a resource—it’s our identity,” Van says. “Protecting these spaces helps maintain our sense of place.”
On the busiest days, he says the motivation remains simple: knowing that the work happening today will benefit future generations.
“I stay motivated by knowing the work we do now helps ensure these lands remain intact for future generations.”
A Career Shaped by Diverse Experiences
Van’s path to conservation work has also been shaped by a wide range of professional experiences.
“My career path hasn’t been a straight line,” he says. “I’ve worked in the hotel sector, serviced office spaces, and the solar industry.”
That variety has influenced how he approaches his work today.
“That experience has shaped how I approach challenges and helps me bring a different perspective to problem-solving.”
Van says he’s particularly inspired by people who demonstrate creativity and resilience when facing difficult challenges.
“I’m inspired by resourcefulness—people who persevere through challenges by finding creative, outside-the-box ways to get the job done, no matter the obstacles.”
Advancing the CWNL Program
Within the Conservation Office, Van points to the teamwork behind CWNL projects as one of the most rewarding aspects of the job.
“I’m especially proud of the CWNL team’s commitment to come together in a short period of time to hit key milestones and make significant advances in the program.”
While CWNL focuses on protecting natural lands, Van says the broader mission aligns closely with DHLM’s work across housing and land management.
“CWNL and DHLM have different specific mandates,” he says, “but the end goal is the same: improving quality of life for our community.”
“By securing natural lands, we help protect the ecosystem and cultural heritage that make life in Hawaiʻi special.”
Advice for Future Public Servants
For those considering a career in public service, Van encourages people to bring fresh thinking and persistence to their work.
“Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer,” he says. “Just because a process has been done one way for decades doesn’t mean it’s the only way—or the best way.”
“Public service needs people willing to question the status quo and find better efficiencies.”
Outside the office, Van enjoys traveling, attending sporting events, and staying involved in community service.
And while he jokes that you probably won’t find him playing the banjo, the same curiosity and openness to new experiences that define his career continue to shape how he spends his time beyond work.
