STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3655

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 566

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. 566, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects

G.M. No. 566

DAN HIROYOSHI HIROTA, for a term to expire 6-30-2012,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee, and finds Dan Hiroyoshi Hirota to have the necessary qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects.

     Testimony in support of Mr. Hirota's nomination was submitted by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and one private individual.

     Mr. Hirota received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Japanese Studies from Indiana University, and received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Civil Engineering from Purdue University.  He is currently an Engineer and Surveyor at Sam O. Hirota, Inc. where he is a third generation licensed Civil Engineer, Land Surveyor, and Land Court Surveyor.  He is a member of the Hawaii Association of Land Surveyors and the National Society of Professional Surveyors.

     Mr. Hirota currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Pointe Community Association at Hawaii Loa Ridge where he also has previously served as its President for three years.  He also currently serves as a Director for the Hawaii Loa Ridge Community Association and a member of its Architectural Review Committee, and as a Director for the Dr. Arthur & Bonnie Ennis Foundation.

     Mr. Hirota understands that the primary focus of boards and commissions of this type is to protect the consumer, which is the reason for his desire to serve on the Board so that he can ensure that licensees are highly qualified.  His grandfather and father have always stressed to him the importance of professional registration in the practice of civil engineering and land surveying, and he wishes to continue to support the professional process in Hawaii through the efforts of the Board.  Mr. Hirota's demonstrated commitment, motivation, education, and professional experiences will greatly assist the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects.

     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