De Fries tapped to be first Maunakea authority chief

More than a year after forming, the state agency that will eventually take over management of Maunakea has found its first executive.

The Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority — a board within the state Department of Land and Natural Resources that formed at the beginning of 2023 and will take over management of the summit area from the University of Hawaii in 2028 — quietly announced via an agenda posted Friday that former Hawaii Tourism Authority President John De Fries has been nominated to serve as the authority’s first executive director.

“Over the past five months, the board reviewed numerous applications, seeking candidates whose professional experience reflect the breadth of experience necessary to lead the newly formed authority,” authority board Chair John Komeiji said in a statement. “Four finalists were interviewed by the board; following careful consideration, the board unanimously decided to enter into negotiations with Mr. De Fries.”

The board will hold a special meeting Thursday to vote on whether to approve De Fries’ hiring.

De Fries was the president and CEO of HTA from 2020 until 2023, when he declined an extension of his contract.

Before that, he was the executive director of the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association and had an extensive career in real estate development and project management.

De Fries also briefly was the Hawaii County director of Research and Development between April and December of 2016.

“We are confident that Mr. De Fries has the experience and skills to effectively lead us through this period of transition where the Mauna is at the center of discussions, decisions and actions,” concluded Komeiji’s statement.

Email Michael Brestovansky at mbrestovansky@hawaiitribune-herald.com.