HONOLULU -- Governor-elect Neil Abercrombie on Monday introduced his first four cabinet nominees.

The biggest surprise was Abercrombie's announcement that Waianae Small Boat Harbormaster William Aila Jr. was his appointee to head the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Although Aila is a state employee, he is also a community activist, often fighting state and federal government agencies for policy changes.

Abercrombie said he selected Aila for his expertise and his calm demeanor.

"If there is anyone who has the temperament to be the head of DLNR it is William Aila. Whether he is with you or against you, whether he agrees with you or disagrees with you, you can count on him as someone who respects you," said Abercrombie.

Aila said he was stunned his application was selected.

"It was surreal. I almost had to pinch myself to make sure it wasn't a dream," said Aila.

Aila has worked for the DLNR for more than 23 years in the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation.

Aila ran for Hawaii governor in 2006.

Aila said he shares Abercrombie's goal of putting more resources into protecting Hawaii's environment.

"That would be my goal because resources are necessary for making improvements," said Aila.

Aila said he would also like to woo back Hawaii residents who are angered and fed up by past DLNR decisions.

"They need to help us and to become part of the solution," said Aila.

Abercrombie named Richard Lim as director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Lim has 30 years experience in banking and financial services.

Lim is a co-founder of Sennet Capital, a Hawaii-based merchant banking firm.

Abercrombie said he was surprised and delighted Lim agreed to take the job and Lim said he surprised himself by applying for it.

"I am surprised that I am involved in this. I spent my entire career in the private sector but because of this unique opportunity, I thought I would give government a shot," said Lim.

The governor-elect picked acting Waiawa Correctional Center Warden Jodie Maesaka-Hirata to lead the Department of Public Safety.

That department runs the state's prisons, sheriff's division and oversees more than 1,000 Hawaii inmates incarcerated in mainland prisons.

Maesaka-Hirata said she agrees with Abercrombie's commitment to bring home more Hawaii inmates from the mainland.

"Certainly, to bring some of these people home and work with them through the community so they can transition and become productive citizens," said Maesaka-Hirata.

For the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Abercrombie picked Alapaki Nahele-a as director.

"Having been born and raised on Hawaiian Homelands, I have a personal connection to the trust, and I know, first hand, what I can do for Hawaiians and for families," said Nahele-A.

Nahele-A is currently Hawaii Charter Schools Network executive director. He was a member of the Hawaiian Homes Commission and a former Hawaii County Council member.

Abercrombie also named 15-year DHHL employee Bobby Hall as the deputy director.

All of Abercrombie's nominees are subject to confirmation by the state Senate.

Abercrombie still has to fill 12 more cabinet positions.

Abercrombie's inauguration is Dec. 6.

He is still accepting applications. So far, the Abercrombie administration has received more than 3,500 applications.

On Monday, Abercrombie also named his three key communications staff members.

Josh Levinson will be Abercrombie's communications director. Laurie Au will be deputy communications director.

Levinson was the field organizer for Abercrombie's gubernatorial campaign. He is the son of retired Hawaii State Supreme court associate justice Steven Levinson.

Au is a former reporter for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. During the campaign, she served as Abercrombie's press secretary.

Donalyn Dela Cruz, the communications director for Bishop Museum, will be Abercrombie's press secretary and media spokesperson. Dela Cruz worked at KHON as a reporter, producer and associate producer.