STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1347

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 222, 223, 225

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 222, 223, and 225, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Molokai Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board

G.M. No. 222

THOMAS D. DeCOURCY,

for a term to expire 06-30-2007;

G.M. No. 223

ADOLPH M. HELM,

for a term to expire 06-30-2009; and

G.M. No. 225

RICHARD K. WHEELER,

for a term to expire 06-30-2008,

begs leave to report as follows:

THOMAS D. DeCOURCY managed a research farm on the island of Molokai for thirty-two years and has a good working knowledge of the Molokai irrigation system, as well as the needs of the agricultural community that uses the system. He also has been the President of the Molokai Farm Bureau, a Board member of the Maui County Water Department and the Hikiolu Farmers Cooperative, and a member of the Molokai Planning Commission.

Testimony in support of Mr. DeCourcy was submitted by the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, and Maui County Farm Bureau.

ADOLPH M. HELM has worked in the agriculture and water system management field for the past twenty-five years. He has served on the Maui County Board of Water Supply and has managed a six thousand-acre agriculture development project that included a potable and agricultural water system. Mr. Helm is a homestead farmer and has a well-balanced understanding of the needs and concerns of all the stakeholders of the Molokai irrigation system.

Testimony in support of Mr. Helm was submitted by the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, and Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation. One individual submitted testimony with concerns over Mr. Helm's ability to advocate for the Hawaiian Homestead farmers.

Specifically, the individual expressed concerns that Mr. Helm did not meet the requirements for the position because of a perceived conflict of interest as an employee of Mycogen Seed and lack of farming activity on his homestead land. However, after hearing testimony from Mr. Helm, your Committee believes that he is able to represent the Homestead farmers and advocate on their behalf without being influenced by his employer. Also, your Committee noted testimony indicating that Mr. Helm is farming on his Homestead property.

RICHARD K. WHEELER has been in agriculture for the past thirty-two years and has experience in many areas of farming, including maintenance of water systems. Mr. Wheeler has already served one term on the Molokai Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board and is active in the Hikiola Cooperative and the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation.

Testimony in support of Mr. Wheeler was submitted by the Department of Agriculture and the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation.

Your Committee finds that the nominees' vast experience in agriculture on the island of Molokai coupled with a working knowledge of the irrigation system make them each an asset to the Molokai Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, 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, and Agriculture,

____________________________

RUSSELL S. KOKUBUN, Chair