STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3549

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 291, 292, 454

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 291, 292, and 454, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Molokai Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board

G.M. No. 291	JAMES A. BOSWELL, for a term to expire 6-30-2012;
G.M. No. 292	RICHARD K. WHEELER, for a term to expire 6-30-2012; and
G.M. No. 454	AUDWIN A. CALAIRO, for a term to expire 6-30-2011,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees, and finds James A. Boswell, Richard K. Wheeler, and Audwin A. Calairo to have the necessary qualifications to be nominated to the Molokai Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board ("MISWUAB").

     Testimony in support of the nomination of James A. Boswell was submitted by the Department of Agriculture, MISWUAB, and Hikiola Cooperative.

     Mr. Boswell received his Bachelor's degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Brigham Young University (Provo, Utah).  He has been a director of MISWUAB for one term and serves as its secretary.  Mr. Boswell has over twenty years experience relating to agriculture and has served twenty-one years as a college instructor teaching agricultural classes and managing the Maui Community College's twenty-eight acre farm on Molokai.  He also currently serves as the vice-chair of the Molokai-Lanai Soil and Water Conservation District.

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Richard K. Wheeler was submitted by the Department of Agriculture and MISWUAB.  Testimony in opposition to his nomination was submitted by one individual.

     Mr. Wheeler has spent almost forty years working in agriculture as a primary producer.  He is the previous owner of Molokai Honey Company and the present owner of Molokai Plumerias.  He is a member of the Hawaii Farm Bureau and is the vice-president of Hikiola, a local agricultural cooperative.

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Audwin A. Calairo was submitted by the Department of Agriculture, MISWUAB, and three interested individuals.  Testimony in opposition to his nomination was submitted by six individuals.

     Mr. Calairo is filling a non-homestead position on MISWUAB.  He was born and raised on Molokai and graduated from Molokai High School.  He is presently employed by Monsanto Molokai, and previously, from 1992 to 2007, Mr. Calairo was employed by Molokai Ranch, Ltd.  Monsanto Molokai is one of the largest non-homestead customers of the Molokai Irrigation System.  Mr. Calairo is also active in community services and has coached high school volleyball and little league baseball.

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

____________________________

JILL TOKUDA, Chair