STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1895

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 641, 642, 643, 644

 

 

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. 641, 642, 643, and 644, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Natural Area Reserve System Commission

G.M. No. 641

REBECCA R. ALAKAI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2009;

G.M. No. 642

RICHARD P. HOEFLINGER,

for a term to expire 06-30-2009;

G.M. No. 643

SCOTT K. ROWLAND,

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

G.M. No. 644

SYLVIANNE C. YEE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2009,

begs leave to report as follows:

REBECCA R. ALAKAI is a resource management specialist with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. She holds a bachelor's degree in zoology and a master's degree in geography from the University of Hawaii and is a member of the Nature Conservancy and the Sierra Club. Ms. Alakai, if confirmed by the Senate, would serve as the commissioner with a zoology background.

Testimony in support of Ms. Alakai was submitted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and two individuals.

RICHARD P. HOEFLINGER is a self-employed general building contractor. He holds a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Detroit and worked as an engineer for approximately thirty years. He is the founding president of the Big Island Gun Dogs, the former president of the Pig Hunters of Hawaii, a member of the Pu'u Wa'awa'a Ahupua'a Advisory Council, the former secretary of the Big Island Bird Hunters and the Kilauea Sporting Skeet Club, the organizer and chair of the 2002 Hawaii Hunting Forum in Honolulu, and a 2002 member of the Hawaii Community Conservative Initiative for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Mr. Hoeflinger has also authored a number of articles in various outdoor publications. If confirmed by the Senate, Mr. Hoeflinger would represent the hunting community on the Natural Area Reserve System Commission.

Testimony in support of Mr. Hoeflinger was submitted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources; a Hawaii County Council member; the Hawaii Hunting Advisory Council; the Hawaii Natural Resource Services, LLC; the Hawaii Rifle Association; the Natural Wild Turkey Federation – Volcano Island Chapter; the Pig Hunters of Hawaii; and three individuals.

SCOTT K. ROWLAND is an associate faculty member at the University of Hawaii's School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology and is currently serving on the Natural Area Reserve System Commission. Dr. Rowland holds a bachelor's degree in geology from Oregon State University and a doctorate in geology and geophysics from the University of Hawaii. Dr. Rowland has published numerous articles on volcanology and, if confirmed by the Senate, would serve as the commissioner with a geology background.

Testimony in support of Dr. Rowland was submitted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources and three individuals.

SYLVIANNE C. YEE is a consultant to the Department of Education for the School-to-Work Business Partnerships and a retired school teacher with the Department of Education. Ms. Yee holds a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Hawaii and a master's degree in educational psychology from New York University. She has also worked with the Hawaii Audubon Society as the "Paradise Pursuits" Environmental Quiz Program Coordinator and is a member of the Sierra Club, a member of the Hawaii Audubon Society, a member of the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, and a volunteer member of the Department of Education's Environmental Education Cadre. Ms. Yee has also been involved with the Sierra Club High School Hikers Program and participated in Sierra Club trips to natural area reserves on the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu. If confirmed by the Senate, Ms. Yee would represent the hiking community on the Natural Area Reserve System Commission.

Testimony in support of Ms. Yee was submitted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Annette's Adventures, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the nominees' experience, background, and commitment to public service make them each an asset to the Natural Area Reserve System Commission.

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