STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1346

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 233, 234, 235, 236, 237

 

 

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. 233, 234, 235, 236, and 237, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Advisory Committee on Pesticides

G.M. No. 233

JANET ASHMAN,

for a term to expire 06-30-2007;

G.M. No. 234

DON R. GERBIG,

for a term to expire 06-30-2008;

G.M. No. 235

CALVIN H. ODA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2008;

G.M. No. 236

SEAN O'KEEFE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2008; and

G.M. No. 237

WESLEY OTANI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2009,

begs leave to report as follows:

JANET ASHMAN has a Bachelor of Arts degree in zoology and has a background in environmental science. Ms. Ashman has worked at the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center for eleven years. She has a very good working knowledge of environmental issues, including the laws and regulations concerning pesticides. Ms. Ashman serves on numerous advisory groups, including the Department of Health's Polluted Runoff Forum Committee, Environmental Management Advisory Group, Air Advisory Group, Source Water Assessment Program, and Water Quality Advisory Group, and West Maui Watershed Advisory Group.

Testimony in support of Ms. Ashman was submitted by the Department of Agriculture, C&H Farms, HARTS Hawaii, Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Maui Land and Pineapple Company, Inc., and Maui County Farm Bureau.

DON R. GERBIG has a Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy and has an extensive background in pesticide application and regulation. For over thirty-eight years, he has worked for AMFAC in field operations, the chemical department, and environmental affairs; Brewer Environmental Industries as the Fertilizer Branch Manager; and for Gay & Robinson Sugar Company's Diversified Crops. He has served on numerous committees including the Hawaii Association of Environmental Professionals, Hawaii Sugar Planters Environmental Standards Committee, and West Maui Watershed Management Advisory Committee.

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

CALVIN H. ODA has a Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy and soils and twenty-seven years of experience in research, technical services, and quality management in the agricultural business. He has served on the Advisory Committee on Pesticides since 1999 and has been active in industry organizations, including the Pineapple Growers Association of Hawaii and the Papaya Administrative Committee.

Testimony in support of Mr. Oda was submitted by the Department of Agriculture, HARTS Hawaii, Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Maui Land and Pineapple Company, Inc., Maui Pineapple Company, Ltd.

SEAN O'KEEFE has a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering and twelve years of experience in environmental regulatory compliance for agricultural and industrial operations. He is a participating member of the Department of Health's Air Rules Advisory Committee and Water Quality Standards Advisory Committee.

Testimony in support of Mr. O'Keefe was submitted by the Department of Agriculture, Gay and Robinson, Inc., Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Company, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, and Maui Land and Pineapple Company, Inc.

WESLEY OTANI has a Bachelor of Science Degree in horticulture and has experience both in agriculture and the pest control industry. Mr. Otani was raised on his family's vegetable farm and eventually worked with pesticides and other chemicals for local distribution companies. He currently is the Regional Sales Manager at Terminix International, the largest termite and pest control company in Hawaii.

Testimony in support of Mr. Otani was submitted by the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Hawaii Pest Control Association, and Maui County Farm Bureau.

Your Committee finds that the nominees have sufficient experience and background with pesticides to make them each an asset to the Advisory Board on Pesticides.

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