STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1871

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 636, 637

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 Nos. 636 and 637, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Moloka‘i Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board

G.M. No. 636	STEVEN L. ARCE, for a term to expire 6-30-2009; and
G.M. No. 637	KATHY M. HANCOCK, for a term to expire 6-30-2011,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Steve L. Arce from the Department of Agriculture; Chair of the Molokai Irrigation Systems Water Users Advisory Board; and Molokai Farm Bureau.

     The nominee is the owner of Na Hua Ai Farms, which grows, harvests, and sells hay for animals.  He is a graduate of Molokai High and Intermediate School.

     Your Committee notes from Mr. Arce's personal statement that he wants to serve and protect the interests of the agricultural users and farmers.  He has seen first hand some of the problems faced by farmers on Molokai, and wants to assure that the system is properly maintained and provides enough irrigation water for the farming community.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Kathy M. Hancock from the Department of Agriculture; Chair of the Molokai Irrigation Systems Water Users Advisory Board; Molokai Farm Bureau; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Monsanto Molokai Foundation; and eight individuals.

     The nominee is the Nursery Manager for Monsanto MSP Molokai, where she is responsible for the nursery management operations for approximately 15,000 nursery rows comprising approximately seventy-five acres, including internal seed and material from more than thirty external corporate and university customers.  She has also worked for Naiwa Farm & Nursery, Tri-L Construction, Moloka‘i Education Center, and the National Park Service.

     Ms. Hancock received a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology from Texas A&M University at Galveston, a Master of Science degree in Marine Science from the University of Alabama, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

     Your Committee notes from the nominee's personal statement that she would use her distinguishing qualities such as intelligence, understanding, and foresight in maintaining the irrigation system. 

     As affirmed by the records 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 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 Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

RUSSELL S. KOKUBUN, Chair