Scott Edward Enright, photo courtesy State of Hawaii, modified slightly by Big Island Video News to better fit the page.

HONOLULU, Hawaii – The deputy to outgoing State Board Of Agriculture Chair Russell Kokubun has been appointed to fill the position.

On Thursday, Governor Neil Abercrombie announced the appointment of Scott Edward Enright as chairperson of the BOA, effective Jan. 1, 2014. The appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie

“Scott is a respected member of the community whose collaborative spirit has served to bring all parties to the table toward nurturing and sustaining the agriculture industry in Hawaii. With Scott’s experience, we will continue to strengthen our agriculture industry by improving infrastructure, building our local markets, and expanding exports.”

Since February 2012, according to the state:

…Enright was the administrator of the state Department of Agriculture (DOA) Divisions of Plant Industry and Agricultural Development, managed the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant funding program, and directed Human Resources for the Office of the Chair. He also directed biosecurity programs, led initiatives to revitalize the state’s livestock industry with special focus on developing dairy industry and grass-fed beef industry, and provided direction for improving infrastructure for irrigation systems statewide.

Enright has been a visible deputy on Hawaii Island. He stood in for BOA Chair Kokubun when the Governor’s Cabinet In Your Community made a stop in Hilo a few months ago. As the state media release details, Enright has deep connections to East Hawaii, especially the Hamakua region.

Previously, Enright was a consultant for the Hawaii Sustainable Agriculture and Renewable Energy Project, project manager for the ITC Water Management Inc., cultivation and irrigation superintendent for Hamakua Sugar Company, and orchard superintendent for Kilauea Agronomics.

Active in the agriculture industry and community, he is a former chair and current ex officio member representing the DOA on the board of the Agribusiness Development Corporation. He has also served on the Governor’s Council of Neighbor Islands Advisors for East Hawaii (2009-2010), during which he championed sustainable energy with emphasis on sustainable bioenergy fuel stock. In addition, he is a member of the Community Development Plan Steering Committee for the Hamakua District, past chair of the Environmental Management Commission, past member of the Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation Board, and founding president of the Ookala Community Association.

Enright earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and philosophy from the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

Enright is a resident of Ookala.

The state reports outgoing chair Russell Kokubun is retiring at the end of the year. It has been reported that Kokubun will return to work on his Hawaii Island farm. It has also been reported that Kokubun will assist Colleen Hanabusa with her U.S. Senate campaign.