STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3639

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 579, 580, 581, 612

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 579, 580, 581, and 612, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Environmental Council

 

G.M. No. 579

ALVIN L. CHAR,

for a term to expire 6-30-2012;

 

G.M. No. 580

SUSAN T. MATSUSHIMA,

for a term to expire 6-30-2012;

 

G.M. No. 581

JOHN A. RICHARDS,

for a term to expire 6-30-2012; and

 

G.M. No. 612

GILL GILLIES BERGER,

for a term to expire 6-30-2011,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal statements and information submitted by the nominees, and finds them to have the necessary qualifications to be nominated to the Environmental Council.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Alvin L. Char from the Office of Environmental Quality Control; Hawaiian Islands Program Director, Trust for Public Land; and one private citizen.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Char holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Science in Public Health from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  As part of his Master's studies he has completed course work in biological oceanography and written a thesis on heavy metals and estimation of sediment yields.

 

     Mr. Char is currently the Acting Deputy Director of the Directorate of Public Works at the United States Army Garrison at Schofield Barracks.  His previous United States Army-related experience includes positions as the Chief of the Environmental Division, Supervisory Environmental Protection Specialist, Environmental Protection Specialist, and Environmental Laboratory Technician.

 

     Mr. Char has also served the community as an Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 201.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Susan T. Matsushima from the Office of Environmental Quality Control; Chairperson, Board of Agriculture; Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; Maui County Farm Bureau; and two private citizens.

 

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Matsushima holds a Bachelor of Education and Fifth Year Professional Teaching Certification from the University of Hawaii.  She also has a Professional Certification from the University of Washington.

 

     Ms. Matsushima is currently a Program Manager at the Pacific Tropical Ornamental Fish Program, which is a recipient of a United States Environmental Protection Agency grant regarding the lower use of pesticides.  Her prior professional experience includes positions as a Vice President of agricultural projects for the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research; and extensive involvement in the wholesale nursery industry, including positions as the owner and President of Alluvion, Inc., Vice President and General Manager of Aloha Pacific Farms, Inc., and Vice President, General Manager, Director of Marketing, Sales Manager, and Sales Coordinator for Amfac Garden Hawaii, Inc.  Additionally, she also has past experience as an elementary and preschool teacher.

 

     Ms. Matsushima is also involved in many environmental, agricultural, and community service-related organizations, including the Lead 21 National Board, Food Alliance National Board, Hawaii Rural Development Council, Hawaii USA Members Financial Resources Advisory Board, North Shore Chamber of Commerce, Advisory Council of the College of Tropical Agriculture, and the Hawaii State Board of Agriculture, among numerous others.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of John A. Richards from the Office of Environmental Quality Control.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Richards holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Washington State University and has received various infantry related training from the United States Army.

 

     Mr. Richards is currently the Operations Manager at Kahua Ranch Limited.  His previous experience includes five years of service in the United States Army, which has included experience as a Platoon Leader and Operations Officer.  He is also an ATV Safety Institute Instructor and a National Rifle Association Certified Instructor in rifle, pistol, and shotgun use.

 

     Mr. Richards is a volunteer Conservation Enforcement Officer (State Law Enforcement) and a participant in Kohala Mountain Watershed Management.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Gill Gillies Berger from the Office of Environmental Quality Control; Hawaii Family Forum and Hawaii Catholic Conference; and five private citizens.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Berger holds a degree in Economics from Willamette University, a degree in Economics and Business from Golden Gate University, and training in Retail Executive Strategic Planning from William and Mary University.

 

     Mr. Berger's professional experience includes a position as a Vice President, Chief Merchandise Officer for Na Hoku Jeweler; and regional and corporate managerial positions, including General Manager, for Sears at various store locations.

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     Your Committee finds that Mr. Berger is a member of the Fuller Theological Seminary Advisory Board, the Board of Directors for the Hawaiian Island Ministries, the Steering Committee for the State Prayer Breakfast, and the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Family Forum.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environment 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 Energy and Environment,

 

 

 

____________________________

RON MENOR, Chair