STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1745

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 817, 818, 819, 820, 821, 822, 823, 824

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 817, 818, 819, 820, 821, 822, 823, and 824, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

 

Game Management Advisory Commission

 

G.M. No. 817

ROBERT CREMER,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019;

 

G.M. No. 818

NANCY TIMKO,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020;

 

G.M. No. 819

RYAN KOHATSU,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020;

 

G.M. No. 820

JOSIAH JURY,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019;

 

G.M. No. 821

LORI BUCHANAN,

for a term to expire 06-30-2019;

 

G.M. No. 822

JEFFERY DEREGO,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020;

 

G.M. No. 823

STANLEY RUIDAS,

for a term to expire 06-30-2018; and

 

G.M. No. 824

JON SABATI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2018,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Robert Cremer, Nancy Timko, Ryan Kohatsu, Josiah Jury, Lori Buchanan, Jeffery DeRego, Stanley Ruidas, and Jon Sabati to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Game Management Advisory Commission.

 

     Your Committee notes that the Game Management Advisory Commission was established pursuant to Act 210, Session Laws of Hawaii 2016, and that the aforementioned individuals represent the inaugural nominees to the Commission.  Pursuant to Act 210, codified at section 183D-4.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, membership on the Commission shall include:  one member from the County of Kauai; three members from the County of Maui, with one member from each of the islands of Maui, Lanai, and Molokai; two members from the County of Hawaii, with one member from east Hawaii and one member from west Hawaii; one member from the City and County of Honolulu; one at-large member; and the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources or the Chairperson's designated representative.  Furthermore, each member, other than the Chairperson of the Board, shall be a hunter licensed in the State and shall have leadership experience in working directly with local hunter or shooting organizations; at least one member shall have knowledge, experience, and expertise in the area of Native Hawaiian cultural practices; and no more than three members shall represent, be employed by, or be under contract to any sector of government.  Your Committee finds that the eight nominees below fulfill the statutory qualifications for service on the Commission.

 

ROBERT CREMER

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Robert Cremer from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Sportsmen's Alliance, Hawaii Hunting Association, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, and three individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Cremer qualifies for appointment to the Game Management Advisory Commission as a member from the County of Kauai.  Mr. Cremer is a licensed hunter and outdoor enthusiast and is a member of the Hawaii Hunting Association and Chair of the Hunting Committee on Kauai with the Hawaii Rifle Association.  Mr. Cremer is active in coaching community youth and high school sports and has previously been a member of the Kapaa Pop Warner Association Board and Kapaa Little League Board.  Testifiers commented that the nominee cares deeply about the hunting community and culture and is active and respected throughout his island community, and that the nominee's broad civic involvement and ability to work collaboratively with others will be an asset to the Commission.  Mr. Cremer indicated in his personal statement that he hopes to effect positive change with the Department of Land and Natural Resources and their partnerships toward a sustainable integrated statewide game management system.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Cremer will bring a number of strengths to the Commission and supports his nomination.

 

NANCY TIMKO

 

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Nancy Timko from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and two individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination for the appointment of Nancy Timko from the Hawaii Hunting Association and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Timko qualifies for appointment to the Game Management Advisory Commission as a member from the City and County of Honolulu or at-large member.  Ms. Timko is an active licensed hunter and President of Safari Club International, Hawaii Chapter, where she previously served as Vice-President and member of the Board of Directors.  Testifiers commented that the nominee has been an asset to the Hawaii Conservation and Wilderness Project's annual youth camp as a leader in working closely with the Hawaii Hunter Education Program in conducting the camp.  The nominee indicated to your Committee her desire to see hunting traditions passed down to youth and made accessible for generations to come, and that while serving on the Commission she would like to see access to public hunting areas opened on all islands if possible and different hunting organizations communicate and work together.  Your Committee finds that the Commission will benefit from Ms. Timko's energy and perspectives and supports her nomination.

 


RYAN KOHATSU

 

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Ryan Kohatsu from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Hunting Association, Hawaii Sportsmen's Alliance, and four individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Kohatsu qualifies for appointment to the Game Management Advisory Commission as a member from the County of Hawaii from East Hawaii.  Mr. Kohatsu is an active licensed hunter with over twenty years of shooting experience.  Mr. Kohatsu previously served as a Commissioner with the County of Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission, currently volunteers as a Hawaii State Hunter Education instructor, and is a certified pistol instructor with the National Rifle Association.  Testifiers commented on Mr. Kohatsu's years of experience with hunting issues on the Big Island, that he has the intellect, management skills, and temperament to serve the Commission well, and that Mr. Kohatsu has dedicated extensive time and resources toward the protection, preservation, and promotion of public resources.  The nominee indicated in his personal statement that he sees the launch of the Commission as a positive opportunity to better organize public hunting in the State and that he would consider any outcome that preserves or extends opportunities for the public to enjoy nature as a great accomplishment.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Kohatsu will be an asset to the Commission and supports his nomination.

 

JOSIAH JURY

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Josiah Jury from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Jury qualifies for appointment to the Game Management Advisory Commission as a member from the City and County of Honolulu or at-large member.  Mr. Jury is an active licensed hunter and is currently Vice-President of the Pig Hunters Association of Oahu (PHAO), where he is engaged in organizing and facilitating the PHAO's efforts to promote goodwill, companionship, and interest in the sport of hunting.  Mr. Jury is employed with the Koolau Mountains Watershed Partnership, where he manages the volunteer hunting program and serves as a liaison on hunting issues for ungulate management with other managing entities and landowners within the Koolau mountain range.  Testifiers noted that Mr. Jury's knowledge and experience with hunting will make him an excellent member of the Commission.  The nominee indicated in his personal statement that he understands the importance of working together to protect natural resources while also promoting better opportunities for public hunting and noted that his background in hunting and conservation has allowed him to work collaboratively with a variety of people from the hunting community, government, and private landowners.  Your Committee finds that the Commission will benefit from Mr. Jury's broad experience and supports his nomination.

 

LORI BUCHANAN

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Lori Buchanan from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hanalei Watershed Hui, Hawaii Sportsmen's Alliance, Hawaii Hunting Association, Kuuhana Ranching and Services, and eight individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Buchanan qualifies for appointment to the Game Management Advisory Commission as a member from the County of Maui from the Island of Molokai and has knowledge, experience, and expertise in the area of Native Hawaiian cultural practices.  Ms. Buchanan is a licensed hunter who has been identified as an advocate for the hunting community on Molokai, many of whom are native Hawaiian homesteaders and hunt for subsistence.  Ms. Buchanan is the Coordinator of the Molokai/Maui Invasive Species Committee, and testifiers commented on her long, admirable history of public service at the state and local levels of government.  Testifiers noted that as a subsistence hunter and cultural practitioner, the nominee possesses a deep and culturally-grounded understanding of the need to accommodate and appropriately balance the subsistence hunting needs of Native Hawaiians with the protection of the State's natural and cultural resources.  The nominee indicated in her personal statement that she is a community advocate who works to address all issues affecting her community, that hunting and gathering is one of the issues she is most passionate about, and by serving on the Commission she hopes to contribute to creating wildlife management plans that balance wildlife preservation for hunting and gathering with protecting the natural environment.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Buchanan's knowledge and cultural expertise will be an asset to the Commission and supports her nomination.

 

JEFFERY DEREGO

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Jeffery DeRego from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Hunting Association, and one individual.

 

      Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. DeRego qualifies for appointment to the Game Management Advisory Commission as a member from the County of Maui from the Island of Maui.  Mr. DeRego is an active licensed hunter and has served as the President of the Maui Hunters and Sportsman Club for almost thirty years.  Mr. DeRego has also served as a volunteer with the Department of Land and Natural Resources for over twenty years with the hunting program for the Koolau Forest Reserve.  Testifiers commented that Mr. DeRego has been actively working on game management strategies for years and is qualified in every aspect to serve the Commission well as a representative of Maui.  The nominee indicated in his personal statement that he hopes to be a voice for the hunting community and the public regarding their concerns about the future of public land for all types of uses for generations to come.  Your Committee finds that the Commission will benefit from Mr. DeRego's extensive knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service and supports his nomination.

 

STANLEY RUIDAS

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Stanley Ruidas from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Pūlama Lānai.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Ruidas qualifies for appointment to the Game Management Advisory Commission as a member from the County of Maui from the Island of Lanai.  Mr. Ruidas is an active licensed hunter who serves on the Lanai Hunter's Focus Group, which assists Pūlama Lānai and the Department of Land and Natural Resources in the management of the game management area on the island.  Mr. Ruidas has also served on the Lanai Community Plan Advisory Committee and the Lanai Planning Commission.  Testifiers commented that Mr. Ruidas is active in community events and issues and is known to voice his positions and ask questions in a thoughtful, realistic, and respectful manner.  The nominee indicated in his personal statement that he believes the future of sustainable hunting will depend on realistic policies and funding and that he hopes to make a difference through his work on the Commission.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Ruidas' extensive experience in community activities and collaboration will be an asset to the Commission and supports his nomination.

 

JON SABATI

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Jon Sabati from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Sportsmen's Alliance, Hawaii Hunting Association, and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Sabati qualifies for appointment to the Game Management Advisory Commission as a member from the County of Hawaii from West Hawaii.  Mr. Sabati an active licensed hunter and has served as President of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Hawaii State Chapter, for nearly twenty years.  Mr. Sabati established the Hawaii Chapter of Pheasants Forever and currently serves as its President.  Previously, Mr. Sabati served on the Hawaii Hunting Advisory Commission and as a volunteer Hunter Education instructor with the Department of Land and Natural Resources.  Testifiers commented that Mr. Sabati has dedicated much of his life to the preservation, protection, and promotion of public hunting in Hawaii and is an excellent role model for the youth and other hunters in the State.  The nominee indicated in his personal statement that by serving on the Commission, he hopes to bring the hunting community together and build a network with the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish effective game management through mutual understanding and establishment of common goals.  Your Committee finds that the Commission will benefit from Mr. Sabati's experience, proven leadership, and dedication to the hunting community and supports his nomination.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land 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 Water and Land,

 

 

 

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair