Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 264, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

begs leave to report as follows:

Upon review of the testimony and the statements submitted by the nominees, your Committee finds that Pascual Dabis, Anna C. Kaohelaulii, Michael H. Kido, and Scott K. Rowland, have the necessary character, experience, and qualifications to serve on the Natural Area Reserves System Commission.

Testimony in support of all the nominees was received from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Natural Area Reserves System Commission.

Testimony in support of Pascual Dabis was received from a State Representative and two members of the Pig Hunters Association of Oahu. Three individuals submitted testimony in support of Scott Rowland.

Pascual Dabis currently serves as a member of the Commission and has actively represented the hunting community, providing advice on ways to work with this community of stakeholders. He is retired from Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, and is an active member in numerous community and civic organizations.

Anna C. Kaohelaulii, is also a reappointment and has been an active participant on the Commission, representing hiking interests. Her background in ecotourism has also provided a valuable perspective to other factors relating to the value of natural resource protection and enhancement. Ms. Kaohelaulii was a legislative aide, and has served as Vice-Chair of the Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter.

Michael H. Kido, a current member, has provided invaluable expertise on aquatic ecosystems, and is dedicated to their protection and management. He is Director and Research Biologist of the Hawaii Stream Research Center, University of Hawaii Center for Conservation Research and Training, and holds a master's degree in zoology. Mr. Kido is active in numerous professional organizations and the author of an extensive list of publications in his field.

Scott K. Rowland, Ph.D., a Geologist at the University of Hawaii, is being appointed for a first term. He is very knowledgeable of important geological features of the State, and has done extensive fieldwork. Dr. Rowland provides necessary perspective for the protection of geological sites and their relation to biological features as well. He holds a doctorate from the University of Hawaii and is active in professional organizations.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, character, 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.