STAND. COM. REP. NO.3492

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 183

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 183, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL

Faith Caplan, Gail L.G. Kaaialii, Ph.D., and Melissa Dumaran, for terms to expire June 30, 2006,

begs leave to report as follows:

Upon review of the testimony and information submitted by the nominees, your Committee finds that the nominees have the necessary character, experience, and qualifications to serve on the Environmental Council.

Testimony in support of the three nominees was received from the Office of Environmental Quality Control.

Testimony in support of the nomination of Faith Caplan was received from the County of Kauai Department of Water and one individual.

Testimony in support of the nomination of Gail L.G. Kaaialii was received from one individual.

Testimony in support of the nomination of Melissa Dumaran was received from The Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Maui Invasive Species Committee, and four individuals.

Faith Caplan is Senior Planner with Helber Hastert & Fee, Planners Inc., and has worked on a variety of planning projects in Hawaii, including extensive work in hazardous and regulated materials (HAZMAT) projects. She has a master's degree in public health from the University of Hawaii and an undergraduate degree from Simmons College in Boston. Ms. Caplan is affiliated with the American Institute of Certified Planners and American Planning Association. Her professional registrations include Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Training, AHERA Certified Asbestos Inspector and Management Planner, Hawaii Asbestos Certification. Ms. Caplan as extensive experience in environmental and land use planning, HAZMAT assessment and management, and water quality assessment.

Gail L.G. Kaaialii, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor at Chaminade University and is active in faculty committee and advisor work. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in zoology from Duke University in North Carolina. In addition to teaching in the fields of biology and ecology, Dr. Kaaialii conducts research in marine invertebrate zoology, molecular/morphological evolution, and sea bird habitat conservation in the Western Pacific. She is an alternate member of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Reef Reserve Council, a member of the Oahu Invasive Species Community, Pacific Seabird Group, Society for the Study of Evolution, and Society of Developmental Biologists, among others. Dr. Kaaialii is also active with Environmental Education Partners in the Community, and has published extensively.

Melissa Dumaran is Natural Resource Manager with the Hawaii Army National Guard's Environmental Office on Oahu. She holds a bachelor's degree in environmental studies from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. In her position, Ms. Dumaran is responsible for program and project administration, personnel management, field research and management, outreach and education, and grant writing. She has also worked as an environmental reviewer and environmental specialist, and conducted research in dry forest and coastal ecosystem restoration. Ms. Dumaran is a member of Hawaii Rare Plant Restoration Group, Maui and Oahu Invasive Species Committees, and Organizing Committee 2000 Conservation Conference. She is the recipient of two Pentagon awards for best conservation programs, as well as a National Guard Bureau Award.

 

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, character, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment,

____________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair