STAND. COM. REP. NO. 859

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 293, 294

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 293 and 294, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Endangered Species Recovery Committee

G.M. No. 293	JOHN T. HARRISON III, for a term to expire 6-30-2009; and
G.M. No. 294	JOHN T. HARRISON III, for a term to expire 6-30-2013,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee, and finds John T. Harrison III to have the necessary qualifications to be appointed to the Endangered Species Recovery Committee.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of John T. Harrison III from the State Department of Land and Natural Resources and three individuals.  Written testimony presented to your Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Dr. Harrison holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from Stanford University, and a Ph.D. in Zoology, with an emphasis on Marine Ecology, from the University of Hawaii.  His professional experience includes positions as the Environmental Coordinator of the University of Hawaii Environmental Center, Special Assistant to the Senior Vice President for Research of the University of Hawaii, and President of Pacific Environmental Consulting, Inc.  As the Environmental Coordinator for the University of Hawaii's Environmental Center, Dr. Harrison coordinated environmental services provided by the University, including formal reviews of environmental impact statements and other assessments, and developed the curriculum for upper division courses in environmental law, policy, and management. 

     As head of the University of Hawaii Environmental Center, Dr. Harrison served as an ex officio member of the Endangered Species Recovery Committee from its inception in 1998 until his full retirement at the end of 2007.  Dr. Harrison was appointed to the Endangered Species Recovery Committee on an interim basis in October 2008.  His training and experience in ecology and ecosystem dynamics has included extensive work on ecosystem responses to human-induced perturbations, and these experiences have been helpful in Committee deliberations.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environment 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 Energy and Environment,

____________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair