Board of Land and Natural Resources Chairwoman Suzanne Case (from left) stands alongside Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officer Randy DeCambra, Maui DOCARE Branch Chief Howard Rodrigues, BLNR member Jimmy Gomes and Gunnar Klarr of the Shikar-Safari Club International Foundation. The club recognized DeCambra as “Hawaii Wildlife Officer of the Year.”

The Maui News

A Maui state worker was recognized Friday as “Hawaii Wildlife Officer of the Year” by the Shikar-Safari Club International Foundation.

Randy DeCambra, a 22-year veteran of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, was awarded a framed certificate and plaque by Gunnar Klarr of the club, which recognizes conservation officers in all 50 states annually. The recognition includes a $20,000 life insurance policy in the event that an officer is killed in the line of duty.

“This is really a team award,” DeCambra said. “At Maui DOCARE we all work toward the common goal of protecting Hawaii’s natural and cultural resources, which includes constant education for visitors and local residents to proactively behave and act in ways that prevent damage or destruction to our unique resources.”

Maui DOCARE Branch Chief Howard Rodrigues said that “Officer DeCambra embodies the best qualities of a conservation officer.

“He’s been responsible for bringing multiple, high-profile resource violation cases to fruition, and his passion and dedication are unequaled,” Rodrigues said.

Founded in 1952, the club and its foundation support educational projects nationwide and in Canada related to wildlife management, hunting and shooting sports. Klarr said the employees of each state conservation enforcement agency select the annual recipient.