STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2667

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 234, 235

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 234 and 235, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Commission on Water Resource Management

 

G.M. No. 234

WILLIAM D. BALFOUR JR.,

for a term to expire 6-30-2010; and

 

G.M. No. 235

WILLIAM D. BALFOUR JR.,

for a term to expire 6-30-2014,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee, and finds William D. Balfour, Jr. to have the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Commission on Water Resource Management.

 

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Mr. Balfour was submitted by two state agencies, six organizations, and seven individuals.  One individual submitted testimony in opposition.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     Mr. Balfour received his Bachelor's of Science degree from the University of Missouri in General Agriculture, and has completed post-graduate work with the Hawaii Sugar Planters' Association and Stanford University.  He has worked as the Irrigation Division Overseer and Irrigation Superintendent for the Lihue Plantation Company and the President and Manager for the East Kauai Irrigation System and the Waiahole Irrigation System.  Mr. Balfour is presently employed as a consultant to the Monsanto Company.  He serves as an interim member of the Commission on Water Resource Management, and satisfies the requirement that each member have substantial experience in the area of water resource management.

 

     Mr. Balfour spent forty years in the sugar industry and managed four irrigated plantations.  He understands the importance of water and understands the management of this resource due to his extensive experience making management decisions on levels and flows using extensive ditch and reservoir systems.  With the ever-increasing demands on this static resource, Mr. Balfour brings experience and an honest, straightforward voice to the Commission.  In addition to his water management experience, Mr. Balfour is dedicated to public service.  He spent ten years with the City and County of Honolulu as the director of parks and recreation and the administrator for the Oahu civil defense agency.  His devotion to public service will ensure that he fairly and rationally considers the issues that come before the Commission prior to making any decision.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

 

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair