Hawaii Land Use Commission director named

Orlando "Dan" Davidson has been named executive director of Hawaii's Land Use Commission.

Davidson, who is currently executive director of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp., starts his new job on May 16. He will replace Anthony Ching, who was named executive director of the Hawaii Community Development Authority in December.

"It was not an easy decision to leave HHFDC where there are exciting opportunities in developing affordable housing for the state," Davidson said in a statement. "But I know that the Land Use Commission has equally critical land-use responsibilities that will shape Hawaii's future."

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The Land Use Commission oversees and administers Hawaii's land-use system and acts on petitions for boundary amendments and use changes submitted by private landowners and developers, as well as state and county agencies.

"The commission feels fortunate that it has found a highly qualified executive officer who will assist us in the important and challenging work that we face," said Chairwoman Lisa Judge. "Dan Davidson has a wealth of public-sector and private-sector experience and we are excited that he is joining us."

Davidson, who began his career as an attorney in private practice, also has served as a deputy corporation counsel for the City and County of Honolulu, as deputy land director for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, and as executive director of the Land Use Research Foundation.