Casting a nationwide net, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources put out a call Monday for applicants to fill the position of administrator of the troubled State Historic Preservation Division.

"We’re going for broke right now," said Esther Kia­‘aina, first deputy director. "In other words we’re not just putting the advertisement in the newspaper, via Facebook and via coconut wireless. We are also using national networks to get this position out there."

Although the preferred hire would be from Hawaii or from the islands living on the mainland, that is not a requirement, she said.

"We would not preclude someone who has as long background in historic preservation or archaeology from the mainland, because to be able to administer this program you have to be multifaceted," she said. "You cannot just be an expert in one area. So a lot will depend on the quality and caliber of those candidates and especially their work experience."

The State Historic Preservation Division has been without an administrator since July 3, when Pua Aiu resigned after a scathing report from the National Park Service critical of the division’s ongoing efforts to address operational problems that jeopardize continued federal funding.

State DLNR Director William Aila said the federal government did not pressure the state to make a change, but he accepted Aiu’s resignation when it was offered. Aiu had served since 2008.

The division, which protects Hawaii’s historic and cultural sites, is part of DLNR and will play a key role as developers conduct environmental reviews and archaeological assessments for such projects as the Hono­lulu rail transit system and a series of proposed high-rise condominiums in Kakaako.

Among the more immediate concerns for the incoming administrator will be getting the division out from under scrutiny of the federal government. The Park Service this year said the division, which was labeled as "high-risk grantee" in 2010, would retain that designation for at least another year.

The designation requires corrective action for operational deficiencies the agency says hamper efficiency. Lack of prog­ress puts the division at risk of decertification and the loss of federal funding.

The agency was critical of Aiu’s role in oversight required by a corrective action plan.

Kia‘aina said the division is 90 percent in compliance with the most recent corrective plan but has a benchmark review coming up Sept. 30 with a full compliance review due May 31.

"I think we’re looking for not only someone who has a good understanding of Hawaii’s unique history, including cultural and land tenure history, but we’re looking for a good administrator," Kia­‘aina said. "If we have a good administrator, there should be no problem in being able to fulfill and implement the requirements under the corrective action plan."

Kia‘aina is part of a five-member committee that will review prospective applicants. The application deadline is Aug. 30.

Kia‘aina said the committee aims to complete interviews by Sept. 20 and have the list of applicants pared to no more than five soon thereafter. Members would then make a recommendation to Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who would make the final selection.

"(We) encourage people who might be kind of reluctant or hesitant — suspicious about the process — to really put their applications in," said Ty Kawika Tengan, University of Hawaii anthropology and ethnic studies professor and another member of the vetting committee.

Other committee members include Aila, the governor’s chief of staff, Bruce Coppa, and Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chief Executive Officer Kama­nao­pono Crabbe.

Tengan said state law is intended to maintain and preserve historic sites and cultural places "in the spirit of stewardship and trusteeship" for future generations.

"So the person we find, as far as that philosophy goes, is going to take that to heart and have that inform their decisions," he said.

Outside observers say they are encouraged by the composition of the selection committee.

"Those are people that I would want there," said Moses Haia, executive director of the Native Hawaiian Legal Corp. "I respect them all. I think they have integrity and they are going to do what they believe is best."

Haia added that he hopes the new administrator can avoid political pressure to develop land at the cost of cultural resources.

"That’s what the program is: It’s historic preservation," he said. "It’s an attempt to protect what we can while allowing reasoned, very deliberately planned development at the same time."