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State Sen. Josh Green has asked Gov. David Ige to withdraw his nomination of Castle & Cooke lobbyist Carleton Ching to lead the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

“After meeting with Carleton Ching to discuss his nomination, I have determined that Mr. Ching is the wrong choice for Director of DLNR,” Green said in a statement Friday. “Although he is personally likable, he does not have the experience, background, or expertise to lead this department. He simply is not qualified for the job.”

Green, who serves as majority floor leader and leads the Health Committee, is the first senator to publicly oppose Ching’s nomination.

“We need a Director of DLNR who has a proven record of fighting to protect and preserve our natural and cultural resources, not a career lobbyist for the development industry who has a record of calling for the elimination of cultural and environmental protections,” Green said. “This nomination is the wrong choice for Hawaii, and we should not move forward with it.”

Ching’s confirmation hearing before the Committee on Water and Land is scheduled for March 11. The committee will issue an advisory vote before the matter is taken up by the full Senate.

The governor has stood by the nomination, lauding Ching’s business management experience. But opposition appears to be mounting: more than 7,400 people have signed a petition asking Ige to withdraw the nomination.