STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3595

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 568

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 568, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Advisory Committee on Pesticides

 

G.M. No. 568

ARNOLD HARA,

for a term to expire 06-30-2023,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Arnold Hara for service on the Advisory Committee on Pesticides.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Arnold Hara from the Department of Agriculture; Ponoholo Ranch Limited; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Kauai County Farm Bureau; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; and twenty-eight individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Hara's experience as a professor and entomologist, commitment to public service, and proven leadership qualify him for reappointment to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides as a representative of the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation.  Your Committee notes that Dr. Hara has been with the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at the University of Hawaii for over thirty-five years, focusing on insect and mite pests of agricultural and floricultural crops, elucidating the bionomics of these pests, and developing pest management programs that minimize the use of chemical pesticides.  Some of Dr. Hara's research accomplishments include the development of heat treatments to control quarantine pests, including the invasive coqui frog.  Dr. Hara has received many awards and published over seventy research papers in national and international journals on pesticides and nonchemical controls of invasive species.  Your Committee further finds that Dr. Hara has served on the Advisory Committee on Pesticides since 2015.  Dr. Hara's experience and knowledge will continue to be assets to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides.  Your Committee therefore recommends that Dr. Hara be reappointed to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

 

 

 

____________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair