STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3802

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     GOV. MSG. NOS. 704, 732, 734

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 704, 732, and 734, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

 

Board of Agriculture

 

G.M. No. 704

JOE TANAKA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020 (term amended to 6-30-2022 by GM742);

 

G.M. No. 732

FREDERICK COWELL,

for a term to expire 06-30-2022; and

 

G.M. No. 734

DIANE LEY,

for a term to expire 06-30-2022,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Joe Tanaka, Frederick Cowell, and Diane Ley for service on the Board of Agriculture.

 

JOE TANAKA

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Joe Tanaka from the Department of Agriculture and one individual.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Tanaka's community involvement, background, and knowledge qualify him for appointment to the Board of Agriculture as an at-large representative.  Mr. Tanaka is currently employed as an independent businessperson.  Mr. Tanaka serves a number of community organizations, including the Maui County Department of Water Supply, Hawaii Criminal Justice Commission, Maui County Mayor's Commission on Children and Youth, Maui Visitor Bureau, and Sister State Commission.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Tanaka brings to the Board extensive expertise to assist the Board in supporting agriculture throughout the State.

 

FREDERICK COWELL

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Frederick Cowell from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Coffee Association, Hula Daddy Kona Coffee, Hawaii Coffee Company, and twenty-nine individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Cowell's background, knowledge, and experience in the coffee industry qualify him for appointment to the Board of Agriculture as a representative of the County of Kauai.  Mr. Cowell is currently employed as the General Manager of the Kauai Coffee Company, LLC, where he leads all facets of the vertically integrated coffee company, including farming, processing, roasting, packaging, marketing, and retail sales.  Mr. Cowell has previously worked as the Program and Site Manager of Oceanit Laboratories where he led design, development, and fielding of the upgraded Hostile Fire Detection System.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Cowell brings to the Board extensive expertise in leadership and the coffee industry to assist the Board in supporting agriculture throughout the State.

 

DIANE LEY

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Diane Ley from the Department of Agriculture; Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii; Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawaii; one council member of the County of Hawaii; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association; Hawaii Tropical Flower Council; Orchid Growers of Hawaii; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers; Hawaii Fish Company Inc.; Kualoa Ranch Hawaii; Ponoholo Ranch Limited; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawaii Forest Industry Association; Ka Ohana O Na Pua; Hawaii Coffee Association; and fifty individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Ley's background, knowledge, and experience in agriculture qualify her for appointment to the Board of Agriculture as a representative of the County of Hawaii.  Ms. Ley is currently employed as the Director of Research and Development of the County of Hawaii, where she is responsible for the collection and development of research driven data necessary for managerial and legislative decision-making and program and policy development within the County of Hawaii.  Previously, Ms. Ley was employed as the State Executive Director of the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency for Hawaii and the Pacific Basin and Deputy to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture.  Your Committee finds that Ms. Ley brings to the Board extensive expertise in government management of agribusiness to assist the Board in meeting the current and future needs of Hawaii's agriculture sector.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair