Russell Kokubun is Hawaii’s new agriculture head following his confirmation today by the state Senate.

The Senate unanimously voted Monday for Kokubun as chairman for the Department of Agriculture.

The 62-year-old Kokubun served as a Big Island senator since 2000, and he handled posts including Senate vice president and chair of the Water and Land Committee.

As a senator, Kokubun planned for the Hawaii’s future by helping craft the state’s 2050 Sustainability Plan.

Kokubun is the fifth of Democratic Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s Cabinet nominees to be approved by the Senate. None has encountered much opposition.

Abercrombie appointed his East Hawaii campaign chairman, 68-year-old Gil Kahele, to replace Kokubun in the state Senate last month.