STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3176

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 488

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 488, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Natural Area Reserve System Commission

G.M. No. 488

RICHARD FLINT HUGHES, Ph.D., for a term to expire 6-30-2012,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Testimony in support of this nomination was submitted by the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species and the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

     Your Committee finds that Dr. Richard Flint Hughes is currently a member of the Natural Area Reserve System Commission serving as a member who has requisite scientific and academic qualifications.  Dr. Hughes has a degree in Human Biology and a Master of Science in Biology from Stanford University, a doctorate degree in Forest Science from Oregon State University, and a Post-Doctorate in Ecosystem Ecology from the University of Colorado at Boulder.  Dr. Hughes is currently a botanist with the Institute of Pacific Island Forestry and will continue to fill the botany subject matter position on the Natural Area Reserve System Commission.  Dr. Hughes was originally appointed to the Natural Area Reserve System Commission in 2004.

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

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair