STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3629

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 546

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 546, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Board of Certification of Public Water System Operators

G.M. No. 546

LAN REISO YONEDA, 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 Lan Reiso Yoneda to have the necessary qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Certification of Public Water System Operators.

     Testimony in support of Mr. Yoneda's nomination was submitted by the Department of Health.

     Mr. Yoneda received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Hawaii and his Master of Science from the University of Southern California.  He currently serves as the Superintendent of Field Operations for the Honolulu Board of Water Supply where he supervises a 143-person work force that is responsible for all of the distribution pipes in the metropolitan Honolulu city district.  He is also responsible for managing the facility maintenance of reservoirs, booster stations, grounds maintenance, and custodial services in support of water distribution on Oahu.  He also serves as a part-time instructor for Honolulu Community College teaching Trades Apprentice Plumbing Mathematics, Science, and Blueprint Reading.

     Mr. Yoneda is the recipient of several awards for his service in the United States Air Force and is a veteran of the Persian Gulf War.  He is a member of the American Water Works Association and the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors.  He also writes and evaluates water and wastewater related problems for the National Civil Engineers and the Fundamentals of Engineering Exams.

     Mr. Yoneda is a registered professional engineer in Hawaii and Nebraska and has held a Class IV Distribution System Operator Certification since 2001.  Mr. Yoneda's demonstrated commitment, motivation, engineering background, education, and professional experiences will greatly assist the Board of Certification of Public Water System Operators.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing 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 Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing,

____________________________

RUSSELL S. KOKUBUN, Chair