STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1826

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 433

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 433, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Molokai Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board

G.M. No. 433

GEORGE WELLINGTON MAIOHO, for a term to expire 6-30-2011,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee, and finds George Wellington Maioho to have the necessary qualifications to be nominated to the Molokai Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board.

     Testimony in support of George Wellington Maioho's nomination was submitted by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Department of Agriculture.

     Mr. Maioho is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and received his Associate in Science degree in Business from Maui Community College.  He is certified as a Class II Water System Operator to safely treat and distribute drinking water to consumers, and to maintain and serve a water distribution system.  He is currently the District Supervisor for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Molokai District in Kaunakakai.  He is responsible for district operations that service the beneficiaries of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, as amended.  Prior to joining the Department, he was the President of the Hikiola Agricultural Cooperative.  He is an active water user who has raised and trained quarter horses for the past twenty-five years.

     Under section 168-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, Hawaiian homestead lessees have a prior right to two-thirds of the water developed for the Molokai Irrigation System.  With his experience and service at the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Mr. Maioho, as a member of the Advisory Board, will be better able to ensure that the water rights of the homestead farmers on Molokai are protected.  His expertise and experience in agriculture and strong desire to serve his community on Molokai will be invaluable assets to the Molokai Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs 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 Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

RUSSELL S. KOKUBUN, Chair