STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1309

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 586, 587, 588

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 586, 587, and 588, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Board of Certification of Operation Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants

 

G.M. No. 586

ROGER BABCOCK,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015;

 

G.M. No. 587

AUDREY K. UYEMA PAK,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015; and

 

G.M. No. 588

LOREN S. TANIGAWA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2015,

 

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Roger Babcock, Audrey K. Uyema Pak, and Loren S. Tanigawa to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Certification of Operation Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants ("Board"). 

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Mr. Babcock from the Department of Health.

 

     Mr. Babcock's academic and professional experience will bring valuable knowledge to the Board.  Mr. Babcock is presently an Associate Professor at the College of Engineering at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and an Associate Researcher at the Water Resources Research Center.  He earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles, a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Davis. 

 

     Mr. Babcock has an academic and field background in the area of wastewater treatment.  In his previous capacity as a Project Engineer in Walnut Creek, California, Mr. Babcock helped select and evaluate design alternatives and materials to be used for the upgrade and expansion of drinking water and wastewater treatment plants.  Mr. Babcock also previously served as a Project Manager for a pilot-scale indirect potable reuse wastewater reclamation demonstration and research project.  Mr. Babcock is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and has written and published numerous studies on water resources and wastewater treatment. 

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Ms. Uyema Pak from the Department of Health.

 

     Ms. Uyema Pak has over fifteen years of experience in the wastewater treatment and environmental engineering field, and her engineering experience makes her well-suited for position on the Board.  Ms. Uyema Pak currently works in the Wastewater Branch of the Department of Health as an Environmental Engineer and has served previously in the Technical Services Branch of the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Environmental Services, where she coordinated in-house construction projects, evaluated wastewater equipment, and maintained regulatory documents.  Ms. Uyema Pak also has an extensive background in monitoring and compliance work.  She served in the Monitoring and Compliance Branch of the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Environmental Services, where she ensured compliance with reporting requirements associated with wastewater and air permits.  Currently, Ms. Uyema Pak works within the Environmental Management Division of the Department of Health where she investigates wastewater complaints and monitors and inspects wastewater treatment plants.  Ms. Uyema Pak earned Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Hawaii. 

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Mr. Tanigawa from the Department of Health; Department of Public Works, County of Kauai; and seven private citizens.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Tanigawa's experience in plant operations make him well‑qualified for the position.  Mr. Tanigawa began his training as an unlicensed Operator Assistant at the Wailua Wastewater Treatment Plant and quickly advanced to Operator III by passing the requisite statewide operator license examinations.  Mr. Tanigawa currently operates and maintains wastewater treatment facilities and is charged with the responsibility of promoting the safe, effective, and efficient use of processes and equipment in order to ensure public health and safety.  Mr. Tanigawa understands the importance of consistent plant operations in order to protect water quality and the environment, and he will bring operational knowledge to the Board.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that are 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 Health,

 

 

 

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, M.D., Chair