The recent discovery of additional sets of human remains at the Kaka'ako Whole Foods construction site once again underscores the need to get the state's Department of Land and Natural Resources' beleaguered Historic Preservation Division back on track.

Years of chronic staffing shortages and high staff turnover contributed to a staggering backlog of hundreds of cases waiting for the division's review. Complaints about the division's leadership added to the problem.

The dysfunction put at risk the state's ability to carry out its crucial mission to protect Hawai'i's historic resources and ensure sensible oversight of planned development throughout the Islands — including properly dealing with burial sites unearthed at construction sites.

Encouragingly, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, under newly appointed director Laura H. Thielen, is making progress.

Six of the 10 vacancies have been filled and a salary differential should help fill two crucial vacant positions: archaeology branch chief and cultural branch chief, Thielen said.

And to prioritize the growing number of requests for review, Thielen said she plans to use programmatic agreements to better define the terms under which permits would require SHPD review. The division could then focus on the projects in line with its mission, such as those that impact iwi and culturally significant or historic sites.

To be sure, there are still major challenges ahead. Dealing with the retention issue will mean assessing current management, and making changes accordingly. Communication with key groups, including burial councils and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs also must be improved. And the rules must be clear from the start so developers are not asked to change gears midstream without ample warning.

Thielen says this is a priority. "Hawai'i's sense of place is so important, and SHPD can have a key role in helping us retain and enhance that."

Now it's up to Thielen to plant the right seeds to allow that sense of purpose to bear fruit.