(BIVN) – Kaʻū resident John Replogle has been nominated to serve on Hawaii Island’s Windward Planning Commission, and on Wednesday he was given preliminary approval by the Hawaii County Council Planning Committee.

Replogle is a familiar face to the council due to his recent advocacy for the Kaʻū Community Development Plan. The council voted to adopt the Kaʻū CDP last year.

Replogle was born and raised on Hawai’i Island. He is a graduate of Kaʻū High School and earned a BA degree in History from Parsons College in Iowa and an AS degree in Food Service from Hawai’i Community College – West Hawai’i, the county says.

Replogle also served as past president of Ka O’hana O Honu’apo, past member of Na Ala Hele Advisory Board and is currently a member of Halau Ohi’a.

Replogle told the council that this was his last week working as a Field Coordinator for The Nature Conservancy due to retirement.